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EMANUEL SWEDENBORG, 



WITH SOME ACCOUNT OF 



HIS WRITINGS, 



TOGETHER WITH 



A BRIEF NOTICE 



OF THE 



RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE NEW CHURCH 




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BOSTON, 

AT. I. F.N AND CODDARD, SCHOOL STREET. 



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Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1831, by 
Allen & Goddard, in the Clerk's Office in the District Court 

of Massachusetts. 



T7-1- 



FKEEMAN AND BOLLES PRINT. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 



Introductory Remarks — Account of the Swedenborg family 
— Swedenborg's education — His early writings 5 

CHAPTER II. 

Remarks on the Philosophical and Mineral Works — Econ- 
omy of the Animal Kingdom — Worship and Love of God — 
Hieroglyphic Key 15 

CHAPTER I'll. 

Swedenborg called to unfold the truths of the new dispensa- 
tion — An account given of him by a Swedish clergyman 
now living 33 

CHAPTER IV. 

The theological writings of Swedenborg, divided into four 
classes, with general remarks in reference to most of the 
works. 

First Class 47 

Second Class 52 

Third Class 57 

Fourth Class. 64 

CHAPTER V. 

Various testimonies to the reality of Swedenborg's inter- 
course with the spiritual world, and of his foretelling 
events 70 

CHAPTER VI. 

Swedenborg's friends — Miscellaneous accounts concerning 
him — Close of his natural life — Eulogy by Sandel 88 



IV CONTENTS. 

APPENDIX. 

No. I. A Memorial drawn up by Swedenborg concerning 
Charles XII., of Sweden 113 

No. II. Letter to Dr. Thomas Hartley, giving an account of 
his family connexions, &c. ; together with the original in 
Latin , uq 

No. III. Catalogue of Swedenborg's manuscripts deposited 
in the Academy of Sciences at Stockholm 122 

No. IV. Letter to the King of Sweden relative to the per- 
secution which he received from the clergy 128 

No. V. Notice of Count Hopken, by one of his cotempo- 
raries 132 

No. VI. Ten Letters addressed to Dr. Gabriel Andrew 
Beyer 133 

No. VII. Sundry Letters 147 

No. VIII. Original advertisement of the Arcana Coelestia 154 

No. IX. Refutation of an unfounded tale relative to the 
skull of Swedenborg 160 

SUPPLEMENT, 

Containing a general historical account of the rise and pro- 
gress of the New Church in America and Europe. 

America. First introduction of the writings of Swedenborg 
into New England — Rev. William Hill — Rev. Holland 
Weeks — Societies in New England — Society in Baltimore 
— Letter to General Washington and his reply — the Rev. 
Mr. Hargrove — Introduction of Swedenborg's writings 
into Philadelphia — Societies in Philadelphia, New York 
and other places — List of New Church periodical publi- 
cations — Republication of Swedenborg's works — General 
Conventions 164 

Europe. England — First separation of the New Church 
from the Old, in that kingdom — Societies in London, and 
other places — The General Conferences — List of New 
Church periodical publications — New Church in France, 
Sweden, and Germany 176 



LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 



CHAPTER I. 



INTRODUCTORY REMARKS ACCOUNT OF THE SWEDEN- 
BORG FAMILY SWEDENBORG's EDUCATION HIS 

EARLY WRITINGS. 

It is but a few years since the writings of Swedenborg 
have received any general attention in this country, 
and little is now known of them except by those who 
embrace the sentiments which they contain. But an 
increased interest is daily manifesting itself, and many 
are anxious to know something of the life as well as the 
writings of him who is regarded as the herald of the 
New Church. 

There are many, too, who are desirous of knowing 
something of Swedenborg's writings, but are deterred, by 
the number of his works, from the undertaking. To such, 
a brief account of his writings may be useful, and produce 
a desire to investigate the subject of the New Church 
doctrines, by a more full examination of his works. 

It may, however, be proper to observe that the same 
effort is not made by members of the New Jerusalem 
Church, to disseminate the doctrines which they embrace, 
as is made by the several denominations in the Christian 
Church to disseminate theirs. A true disciple of the 
New Church will be as anxious that genuine truth should 



V LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

not be profaned, as that it should be universally received. 
In the present dispensation, the Church is an internal 
and not an external Church. Its growth depends not 
so much on the accession of numbers as on the state and 
inward quality of those who embrace its doctrine. 

Much external effect might doubtless be produced by 
resorting to energetic means to disseminate the doctrines. 
For truth has power in itself, and is felt by all, whether 
acknowledged or denied. But the greatest danger, per- 
haps, to which a member of the New Church is exposed, 
is that of abusing the power which the truths of his doc- 
trine afford him. The truths of the New Church are 
unfaithfully dispensed when they are used indiscriminately 
to attract the multitude, or induce men to relinquish 
their present faith before they are in a state to receive a 
better. A man can hardly be said to have received gen- 
uine spiritual truth, until he has become the willing serv- 
ant of that truth, ready to dispense it, not to increase his 
own power and influence, but for the sole benefit of others. 

That the writings of Swedenborg may be read, and the 
truths contained in them be in some measure acknow- 
ledged, without necessarily producing any good effect, 
may appear from the following remarks : ' There are,' 
says our author, ' five classes of those who read my writ- 
ings. The first reject them entirely, because they are 
in another persuasion, or because they are in no faith. 
The second receive them as scientifics, and as objects of 
mere curiosity. The third receive them intellectually, 
and are in some measure pleased with them, but when- 
ever they require an application to regulate their lives, 
they remain where they were before. The fourth receive 
them in a persuasive manner, and are thereby led, in a 
certain degree, to amend their lives and perforin uses. 
The fifth receive them with delight, and confirm them in 
their lives. 5 



LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 7 

From the above it may appear that nothing is really 
gained to the New Church simply by inducing men to 
examine the writings of Swedenborg, without regard to 
the motives by which they are influenced in the investi- 
gation. It is nevertheless our duty to put it within the 
power of others, so far as we are able, to become acquaint- 
ed with the truth ; and the object of the remarks already 
made, is simply to correct an erroneous impression con- 
cerning the efforts made by members of the New Church 
to disseminate its doctrines. 

A sketch of Swedenborg's life is not here given in con- 
tinuity, but is interspersed with some accounts of his 
writings ; some knowledge of his works being thought 
necessary to explain many incidents of his life connected 
with his intercourse with the spiritual world. We shall 
commence with a short account of the Swedenborg family. 

Jespqi; Swedberg, the father of Emanuel Swedenborg, 
was born on the estate of his father, near Fahlun, in 
Sweden, in 1653. He was for several years attached to 
the army as a chaplain of a regiment of cavalry, but 
finally made bishop of Skara, in West Gothland. For 
many years he superintended the Swedish mission estab- 
lished in England and America. He was a man of learn- 
ing and abilities, and of an amiable private character. In 
1 719 he was ennobled by the name of Swedenborg. This 
name, however, was adopted only by his descendants; he 
always retained the name of Swedberg. He died in 1735. 
From a book published by him in 1709, entitled 'Divine 
Exercises, and Comfortable Conversations with a Sorrow- 
ful Soul,' and dedicated to his children and grand-children, 
it appears that he then had three sons and four daughters. 
The following is the order in which they are named, 
which is doubtless according to their respective ages : 
Anna, Emanuel, Eliezer, Hedwig, Catharina, Jesper. 



8 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

Margareta. The grand-children named are, Ericus 
Benzelius and Margareta Benzelius. It has been stated 
that one of the family came to America at the time Jesper 
Swedberg superintended the Swedish mission established 
in Philadelphia; and that he finally settled in Canada. 

Emanuel Swedberg was born in Stockholm, January 
29, 1688. This name he retained until 1719, when, 
being ennobled, he took the name of Swedenborg. After 
this period he took his seat with the Nobles of the 
Equestrian Order in the Triennial Assemblies of the 
States of the Realm. There are, in Sweden, three ranks 
of nobility exclusive of the royal family. To the first, or 
highest, belongs the title of Count ; to the second, that of 
Baron; and to the third, to which Swedenborg belonged, 
no title is attached, but only certain privileges. He was 
afterwards offered a higher degree of rank, which he 
declined. 

He was educated principally at the university of Upsala. 
Great care is said to have been bestowed by his father on 
his early education. His youth was marked by an uncom- 
mon assiduity and application in the study of philosophy, 
mathematics, natural history, chemistry, and anatomy, 
together with the Eastern and European languages. He 
had an excellent memory, quick conceptions, and a most 
clear judgment. 

There were some remarkable indications of spirituality 
in his youth. To a friend who, in a letter, inquired of 
him what had passed in the earlier part of his life, he 
wrote as follows : ■ From my youth to my tenth year, my 
thoughts were constantly engrossed by reflecting upon 
God, on salvation, and on the spiritual passions of man. 
I often revealed things in my discourse which filled my 
parents with astonishment, and made them declare at 
times, that certainly the angels spoke through my mouth. 



LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. y 

From my sixth to my twelfth year, it was my greatest 
delight to converse with the clergy concerning faith, to 
whom I often observed, that charity or love was the life 
of faith, and that this vivifying charity or love was no 
other than the love of one's neighbor ; that God vouch- 
safes this faith to every one; but that it is adopted by 
those only who practise that charity.' 

We make another extract in order to show that he was 
guarded by Providence in his youth from imbibing false 
principles of religion. 

'I was prohibited reading dogmatic and systematic 
theology, before heaven was opened to me, by reason that 
unfounded opinions and inventions might thereby easily 
have insinuated themselves, which with difficulty could 
afterwards have been extirpated ; wherefore when heaven 
was opened to me it was necessary first to learn the 
Hebrew language, as well as the correspondences of 
which the whole Bible is composed, which led me to read 
the Word of God over many times ; and inasmuch as the 
Word of God is the source whence all theology must be 
derived, I was thereby enabled to receive instruction from 
the Lord, who is the Word.' Those who are acquainted 
with Swedenborg's explanation of the Bible may readily 
conceive the difficulties which would have prevented his 
having arrived at the state to which he was elevated, had 
his mind been previously shackled by the commentaries 
and biblical criticisms in common use. 

He had certain rules which he prescribed for the pur- 
pose of regulating his conduct. These are found inter- 
spersed in various parts of his manuscripts. They are as 
tbllows : 1. Often to read and meditate on the Word of 
the Lord : *2. To submit every thing to the will of Divine 
Providence : 3. To observe in every thing a propriety of 
behavior, and always to keep the conscience clear: 4. 
1* 



10 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

To discharge with fidelity the functions of his employ- 
ments and the duties of his office, and to render himself 
in all things useful to society. 

In 1716, at the age of twenty-eight years, he was ap- 
pointed by Charles XII. Assessor Extraordinary of his 
Board of Mines. He did not, however, enter upon the 
duties of his office till 1722, being unwilling to exercise 
its functions before he had acquired a perfect knowledge 
of metallurgy. The diploma appointing him to this office, 
states, ' that the king had a particular regard to the 
knowledge possessed by Swedenborg in the science of 
mechanics, and that his pleasure was, that he should 
accompany and assist Polhammar (afterwards called Pol- 
heim) in constructing his mechanical works.' Charles 
XII. is said to have been fond of devoting his leisure 
hours to the subject of mathematics and mechanism; 
and in Dr. Norberg's history of that king are detailed 
many interesting conversations between Charles, Sweden- 
borg, and Polheim. There is also a curious memorial 
drawn up by Swedenborg, concerning Charles XII. in 
which it is stated that the king invented a new arithmetic, 
and had several conversations with Swedenborg on the 
subject, which are related by him with minuteness. This 
memorial will be found in the Appendix, No. I. 

From 1716 to 1720, Swedenborg spent much of his 
time in the universities in England, Holland, France, and 
Germany. In 1721, he made various journies in different 
parts of Europe to examine the principal mines and smelt- 
ing-works. He was particularly noticed, at this time, by 
the Duke of Brunswick, who did much to facilitate his 
travels, and afterwards published, at his own expense, 
Swedenborg's Opera Philosophica, which we shall have 
occasion to notice hereafter. He journied much ; in 1738 
he travelled through Italy, and spent much time in Venice 



LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 11 

and Rome. On his return he published an account of 
his travels. 

In 1724, he was offered a professorship of mathematics 
in the university of Upsala, which he declined. He was 
admitted a member of the Royal Academy of Sciences at 
Stockholm in 1729; and was appointed a corresponding 
member of the Academy of Sciences of St. Petersburgh in 
1734. 

Both his philosophical and theological works were 
written in Latin, with the exception of a few small works 
written in the early part of his life. Little is known in 
this country of his works published previous to the year 
1734 ; and judging from the little notice taken of them 
by the New Church in England, we presume that there 
are not many copies of them extant. We have however 
seen extracts from some of them, which lead us to sup- 
pose that they are very valuable. 

The first work published by Swedenborg was an Ac- 
ademical Dissertation, entitled, Annaei Senecae et Pub, 
Syri Mimi forsan, et aliorum selectae Sentential, cum 
Annotationibus Erasmi, et Graeca Versione Scaligiri, 
Notis illustratae. Upsalae, 1709. 

In 1710, he published at Skara a collection of Latin 
verses, under the title of ' Ludus Heliconius, sive carmina 
Miscellanea, quae variis in locis cecinit Em. Swedberg.' 

In 1716-7-8, he published at Stockholm, a work in 
six parts, under the title of Daedalus Hyperboreus, con- 
sisting of Essays and Remarks on various branches of 
Mathematics and Philosophy. This work was published 
in the Swedish language ; the fifth part has been translated 
and published in Latin. 

In 1717, he published an introduction to Algebra, un- 
der the title of the Art of the Rules, (Regel Konsten.) 
This was published in the Swedish language. 



12 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

In 1719, he published the three following works : 1st. 
A Proposal for fixing the value of Coins, and determining 
the Measures, of Sweden, so as to suppress Fractions and 
facilitate Calculations. 2d. A Treatise on the Position 
of the Earth and the Planets. 3d. A Treatise on the 
Height of the Tides, and the greater Flux and Reflux of 
the Sea in former ages ; with Proofs furnished by various 
appearances in Sweden. 

In 1721, he published, at Amsterdam, the six following 
works : 1st. Prodromus Principiorum Rerum Naturalium, 
sive Novorum Tentaminum, Chemiam et Physicam Ex- 
perimentalem Geometrice Explicandi ; or, a Sketch of a 
Work on the Principles of Natural Things, or New At- 
tempts at Explaining the Phenomena of Chemistry and 
Physics on Geometrical Principles. 2d. Nova Observata 
et Inventa circa Ferrum et Ignum, prsecipue circa Na- 
turam Ignis Elementarem ; una cum Nova Camini In- 
ventione ; or, New Observations and Discoveries respect- 
ing Iron and Fire, especially respecting the Elementary 
Nature of Fire ; with a new mode of constructing Chim- 
neys. 3d. Methodus Nova Inveniendi Longitudinem Lo- 
corum, Terra Marique, Ope Lunse ; or, A New Method 
of finding the Longitude of Places, either on Land or at 
Sea, by Lunar Observations. 4th. Modus Construendi 
Receptacula Navalia ; or, A Mode of Constructing Dry 
Docks for Shipping. 5th. Nova Constructio Aggeris 
Aquatici ; or, a New Mode of Constructing Dykes to 
exclude Inundations of the Sea or of Rivers. 6th. Mo- 
dus Mechanice Explorandi Virtutes Navigiorum ; or, A 
Mode of ascertaining, by Mechanical Means, the Qualities 
of Vessels. These are all small works. Nos. 3, 4, 5, 
and 6, form but a small pamphlet together. 

In 1722, he published, at Leipsic and Hamburgh, the 
following work, in four parts : Miscellanea Observata 



LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 13 

circa Res Naturales; praBsertim Mineralia, Ignem, et 
Montium Strata ; or, Miscellaneous Observations on Na- 
tural Things, particularly on Minerals, Fire, and the 
Strata of Mountains. It does not appear that he pub- 
lished any thing more till 1734, when his great work, 
the Opera Philosophica, &c. was printed. This work 
probably occupied most of his time from 1722 to 1734. 

His society was sought by learned men of his own and 
of foreign countries. Christian Wolff, among others, was 
eager to establish with him a literary correspondence, 
and consulted him on many intricate subjects. Count 
Hopken, prime minister of Sweden, was also on intimate 
terms with him, as well after as before, his illumination. 
He has left his testimony of the character of Sweden- 
borg, which is valuable ; for if Swedenborg had exhibited 
any of those frailties, after his illumination, which his 
enemies, at the present day, attribute to him, they must 
have been noticed by Count Hopken, who was acquainted 
with his whole life. We here make an extract from a 
letter written by Hopken to a friend, during the latter 
part of Swedenborg's life, but which throws much light 
on the character of Swedenborg at this period. After 
some preliminary remarks, he says : 

' I have not only known him (Swedenborg) these two 
and forty years, but have also for some time, daily frequent- 
ed his company. A man, who like me has long lived in 
the world, and even in an extensive career of life, may 
have numerous opportunities of knowing men as to their 
virtues or vices, their weakness or strength ; and in con- 
sequence thereof, I do not recollect to have ever known 
any man of more uniformly virtuous character, than 
Swedenborg ; always contented, never fretful or morose, 
although throughout his life his soul was occupied with 
sublime thoughts and speculations. He was a true 



14 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

philosopher and lived like one ; he labored diligently, 
lived frugally without sordidness ; he travelled frequently, 
and his travels cost him no more than if he had lived 
at home. He was gifted with a most happy genius, and 
a fitness for every science, which made him shine in all 
those he embraced. He was without contradiction proba- 
bly the most learned man in my country ; in his youth a 
great poet : I have in my possession some remnants of 
his Latin poetry, which Ovid would not have been ashamed 
to own. His Latin in his middle age, was an easy, 
elegant, and ornamental style ; in his latter years it was 
equally clear, but less elegant after he turned his thoughts 
to spiritual subjects; he was well acquainted with the 
Hebrew and Greek; an able and profound mathemati- 
cian ; a happy mechanic, of which he gave proof in Nor- 
way, where by an easy and simple method, he transported 
the largest gallies over the high mountains and rocks to 
a gulf where the Danish fleet was stationed : he was like- 
wise a natural philosopher, yet on the Carthesian princi- 
ples. He detested metaphysics, as founded on fallacious 
ideas, because they transcend our sphere, by means of 
which theology has been drawn from its simplicity and 
become artificial and corrupted. He was perfectly con- 
versant with mineralogy, having a long time been asses- 
sor in the mineral college, on which science he also pub- 
lished a valuable and classical work, both as to theory 
and practice, printed at Leipsic in 1734. If he had 
remained in his office, his merits and talents would have 
entitled him to the highest dignity ; but he preferred ease 
of mind, and sought happiness in study. In Holland he 
began to apply himself to anatomy, in which he made 
singular discoveries, which are preserved somewhere in 
Acta Literaria. I imagine this science and his medita- 
tions on the effects of the soul upon our curiously con- 



LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 15 

structed body, did by degrees lead him from the material 
to the spiritual. He possessed a sound judgment upon 
all occasions ; he saw every thing clearly, and expressed 
himself well on every subject. The most solid memorials, 
and best penned, at the diet of 1751, on matters of 
finance, were presented by him. In one of these he 
refuted a large work in quarto on the same subject, quoted 
all the corresponding passages of it, and all this in less 
than one sheet. 5 

It was stated that Count Hopken was prime minister 
of Sweden. He was also one of the institutors of the 
Swedish Royal Academy of Sciences, and served, for 
several years, as secretary to that institution. In public 
life he was distinguished for his integrity and assiduity 
in the discharge of the duties of his office ; while as a 
private man, he was no less distinguished for his social 
virtues. He died in 1790, at the age of 77 years. 

There is a letter written by Swedenborg to the Rev. 
Dr. Hartley, of England, giving, in answer to Dr. Hart- 
ley's questions, a general account of his life. This letter 
together with the original one in Latin, will be found in 
the Appendix, No. II. — We now proceed to notice the 
principal philosophical works of our author. 



CHAPTER II. 



PHILOSOPHICAL AND MINERAL WORKS ECONOMY OF THE 

ANIMAL KINGDOM ANIMAL KINGDOM WORSHIP AND 

LOVE OF GOD HIEROGLYPHIC KEY. 

The Philosophical and Mineral works (Opera Philo- 
sophica et Mineralia) were published at Dresden and 
Leipsic, in 1734, in 3 volumes folio, about 400 pages each. 



16 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

These are three distinct works, each treating upon differ* 
ent subjects, and dedicated to different men ; but they 
were published together, and were always alluded to by 
Swedenborg as one work. It was published in very ele- 
gant style at the expense of the Duke of Brunswick, at 
whose court Swedenborg tarried for some time, receiving 
from him many marks of favor. The first volume is 
entitled, The Principles of Natural Things, or, New 
Attempts at a Philosophical Explanation of the Pheno- 
mena of the Elementary World, (Principia Rerum Na- 
turalium, sive, Novorum Tentaminum Phenomena Mundi 
Elementaris Philosophice Explicandi.) This is generally 
called the Principia. It is dedicated to Ludovicus Ro- 
dolphus, Duke of Brunswick, has an engraved likeness of 
Swedenborg, and is adorned with numerous fine engrav- 
ings and copperplates, illustrative of the subjects treated of. 
The Principia may be regarded as a treatise on cos- 
mology , The author attempts to arrive at the cause and 
origin of the phenomena of the universe by a mode of 
inquiry peculiar to himself. He asserts that nature, in 
all its operations, is governed by one and the same gen- 
eral law, and is always consistent with itself; hence, he 
says, there is no necessity, in exploring her hidden re- 
cesses, to multiply experiments and observations. The 
means leading to true philosophy are represented as three- 
fold. Firstly, knowledge of facts, or experimental obser- 
vations, which he calls experience. Secondly, an orderly- 
arrangement of these facts or phenomena, which is called 
geometry, or, rational philosophy. Thirdly, the faculty 
of reasoning, by which is meant the ability to analyze, 
compare and combine, these phenomena, after they have 
been reduced to order, and to present them distinctly to 
the mind. We here make an extract for the purpose of 
giving a specimen of his style at this period. Speaking 



LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 17 

of the futility of multiplying experiments and observa- 
tions to the neglect of attending to their causes, he says: 
' Nature may be styled a labyrinth, whose intricacies 
you are anxious to explore. Fruitless would be the at- 
tempt to wander through its meandering turns, and note 
the dimensions of all its ways ; the difficulty would but 
grow the more inextricable, you would pursue your foot- 
steps in a circle; and recognise the self-same spot, when 
most elated by the prospect of success. But would you 
gain with ease, and possibly by the shortest road, the 
exit of the labyrinth, reject then the senseless wish of 
exploring all its turns : rather plant yourself at any inter- 
section of its paths, strive to ascertain somewhat of its 
general form from the ways which you have trodden, 
and thus in some degree retrace your steps. When once 
you have gained the exit, a mere thread can serve to 
guide you through all its circuitous tracks, and to retrace 
your errors; but even this, after a time, you may cast 
aside, and wander fearlessly without it. Then, as if 
seated on an eminence, and at a glance surveying the 
scene which lies before you, how would you smile in 
tracing out its various breaks and contortions, which 
have baffled the judgment by multiplied and illusive 
intersections. But let us now return to the phenomena, 
and leave similitudes for the subject itself. By too great 
an accumulation of phenomena, and especially of those 
which are at a distance from their cause, you not only 
defeat the desire of scrutinizing the occult operations of 
nature, but plunge yourself more and more as into a 
labyrinth, where you are perpetually drawn aside from 
the end in view, and misled into a distant and contrary 
region. For it is possible that many things of opposite 
natures may exist from the same first cause ; as fire and 
water, and air which absorbs them both.' 
2 



18 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

It is maintained by our author that no one can become 
a true philosopher who is not a good man. Previous to 
the fall, he says, when man was in a state of integrity, 
he had all the essentials of wisdom and true philosophy 
inscribed on his heart: he had then only to open his eyes 
in order to see the causes of all the phenomena of the 
universe around him : but in his present state of sin and 
non-conformity with Divine Order, he is obliged to inves- 
tigate truths by a laborious external application of the 
mind. On this subject he says : 

' No man seems capable of arriving at true philosophy, 
since that first of mortals who is said to have been in a 
state of the most perfect integrity, that is, who was 
formed and made according to all the art, image, and con- 
nexion of the world, before the existence of vice 

One reason why man in a state of integrity was made a 
complete philosopher, was, that he might better know 
how to venerate the Deity, the origin of all things, or 
that Being who is all in all. For no man can be a com- 
plete and truly learned philosopher, without the utmost 
devotion for the Supreme Being. True philosophy and 
contempt of the Deity are two opposites. Veneration for 
the Infinite Being can never be separated from philosophy ; 
for he who fancies himself wise whilst his wisdom does 
not teach him to acknowledge a Divine and Infinite Be- 
ing, that is, who thinks he can possess any wisdom without 
a knowledge and veneration of the Deity, is in the pro- 
foundest ignorance.' 

In this work he treats of the magnetic needle and its 
variations. He describes the sun and its vortex, and ex- 
plains the subject of the creation of the planets of our solar 
system from the sun. He alleges that there were seven 
planets created from the sun at the same time ; he has 
eiffht or ten drawings illustrative of the subject, in all of 



LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 19 

which seven planets are laid down. This work was 
published more than forty years before the discovery of 
the seventh planet by Dr. Herschel. In the latter part 
of the work he treats of the paradise of the earth and the 
first man. 

It is believed that in this work he made many discov- 
eries in philosophy, which, owing to the little attention 
paid to his writings, have not been accredited to him. We 
have testimony to this effect from a philosopher of reputa- 
tion in our own country. R. M. Patterson, late professor 
in the university of Pennsylvania, in a letter written to 
Dr. Atlee, respecting the Principia, says, 'The work of 
Swedenborg which you were so kind as to put into my 
hands, is an extraordinary production of one of the most 
extraordinary men, certainly, that has ever lived.' After 
stating, among other things, that he should like to peruse 
it farther before he could form an opinion of it, ' a thing 
not to be done in few words,' he continues, ' This much, 
however, I can truly say; that the air of mysticism 
which is generally thought to pervade Baron Sweden- 
borg's ethical and theological writings, has prevented 
philosophers from paying that attention to his physical 
productions, of which I now see that they are worthy. 
Many of the experiments and observations on magnet- 
ism, presented in this work, are believed to be of much 
more modern date, and are unjustly ascribed to much more 
recent writers: What these < experiments and obser- 
vations ' are, which Professor Patterson says, ' are un- 
justly ascribed to much more recent writers,' we know 
not : but we shall be able to show, presently, that some 
other important discoveries, claimed by different writers, 
were anticipated by Swedenborg. 

The second and third volumes of the work now under 
notice, are together called the Regnum Minerale ; (the 



20 



LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 



Mineral Kingdom;) but they are distinct works. The 
second volume is entitled, 

The Subterranean or Mineral Kingdom, or a Treatise 
on Iron. (Regnum Subterraneum, sive Minerale de 
Ferro.) It treats of the various methods employed in 
different parts of Europe, for the liquefaction of iron, and 
converting it into steel ; of iron ore and the examination 
of it , and also of several experiments and chemical pre- 
parations made with iron and its vitriol. It is illustrated 
by a great number of fine copper engravings. A part of 
this volume has been translated into French, and inserted 
in the Description of Arts and Manufactures. The third 
volume is entitled, 

The Subterranean or Mineral Kingdom, or a Treatise 
on Copper and Brass. (Regnum Subterraneum, sive 
Minerale De Cupro et Orichalco.) It treats of the various 
methods adopted in different parts of Europe, for the 
liquefaction of copper ; the method of separating it from 
silver, converting it into brass, and other metals; of Lapis 
Calaminaris ; of Zinc ; of Copper Ore, and the examina- 
tion of it ; and lastly, of several chemical preparations and 
experiments made with copper. Like the other volumes, 
it is illustrated with many copper engravings. Each 
volume is subdivided into three parts. 

This work, in England, is esteemed very valuable. In 
the translation of Cramer's Elements of the Art of Assay- 
ing Metals, by Dr. Cromwell Mortimer, Secretary to the 
Royal Society, it is mentioned by the translator in the 
following terms : ' For the sake of such as understand 
Latin, we must not pass by that magnificent and labori- 
ous work of Emanuel Swedenborgius, entitled, Principia 
Rerum Naturalium, &c. Dresdas et Lipsice, 1734, in 
three tomes, in folio : in the second and third tomes of 
which he has given the best accounts, not only of the 



LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 21 

methods and newest improvements in metallic works in 
all places beyond the seas, but also of those in England 
and our colonies in America, with draughts of the fur- 
naces and instruments employed. It is to be wished we 
had extracts of this work in English. 5 p. 13, 2d ed. Lon- 
don, 1764. 

The Economy of the Animal Kingdom, (GEconomia 
Regni Animalis,) was published at Amsterdam, in 1740-1, 
in 4to. The first part treats of the Blood, the Arteries, 
the Veins, and the Heart ; with an Introduction to Ra- 
tional Psychology. The second part treats of the Motion 
of the Brain, of the Cortical Substance, and of the Hu- 
man Soul. 

The object of Swedenborg, in investigating the organ- 
ization of the human body, was to obtain a knowledge of 
the soul, which he was already convinced had some cor- 
respondence with the body. His knowledge of anatomy 
he professes to have obtained principally from the writings 
and experiments of others, although, as he states, he 
added some experiments of his own, but, he continues, 
' I thought it better to use the facts supplied by others ; 
for there are some persons who seem born for experi- 
mental observations ; who see more acutely than others, 
as if they derived a greater share of acumen from nature. 
Such were Eustachius, Leeuwenhock, Ruysch, Lancis- 
ius, &x. There are others who enjoy a natural faculty 
for eliciting, by the contemplation of established facts, 
their hidden causes. Both are peculiar gifts, and are 
seldom united in the same person.' This is doubtless 
true as it relates to establishing experimental observations 
in the first place ; but when he who is capable of eliciting, 
by established facts, their hidden causes, shall have ac- 
complished his end, he will be better enabled than the 
simply experimental or scientific man, by retracing his 
2* 



22 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

steps, to enlarge upon those very same facts and experi- 
ments which served as a basis for his advancement. For 
from the eminence at which he has arrived, he can see 
from the light of causes, almost infinite things in effects, 
of which they from beneath are ignorant. The ladder 
which leads from the earth to the heaven of the mind, is 
for the angels — for light and truth — to descend, as well 
as to ascend. It is from this view of the subject that we 
are to account for the fact of Swedenborg's having obtain- 
ed a more perfect knowledge of the anatomy of the 
human system than any other man. But as this may 
appear unaccountable to those unacquainted with his 
writings, we will briefly explain the manner in which it 
is supposed that he become possessed of a more perfect 
knowledge of the human system than others. 

In his theological works it is every where stated that 
the mind fills and governs the whole body ; that it corres- 
ponds with the whole and every part of the body ; that 
when the mind of man is fully regenerated, it is fully in 
the human form, but when unregenerate, it is not in the 
human form. Therefore all purification and advance- 
ment in goodness and truth are seen, in the other world, 
as successive developements of the human form. By an 
angel the affections and thoughts of others are seen as in 
clear light, and those affections and thoughts are seen to 
operate according to the organic laws of the human sys- 
tem; and there is no secret operation in the internal 
structure of either the spiritual or natural body, which 
may not be seen from the light of heaven. Just in pro- 
portion, therefore, as a person is elevated above a know- 
ledge of the comparatively imperfect, anatomy of the 
human body to the more perfect organization of the 
human mind, the more light will he necessarily have 



LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 23 

concerning the anatomy of the body which corresponds 
to the mind. 

We here introduce a notice of some discoveries, in this 
work, which were afterwards attributed to others. The 
coincidences were noticed and published by Mr. C. A. 
Tulk, of London, a gentleman who has paid much atten- 
tion to Swedenborg's philosophical works. 

In a work entitled, ' The Institutions of Physiology/' 
by Blumenbach, treating of the brain, he says, that after 
birth it undergoes a constant and gentle motion corres- 
pondent with respiration; so that when the lungs shrink 
in expiration, the brain rises a little, but when the chest 
expands, it again subsides.' In the note he adds, that 
Daniel Schlichting first accurately described this pheno- 
menon in 1744. Now it does so happen that Sweden- 
borg had fully demonstrated, and accurately described, 
this correspondent action, in that chapter of the CEcono- 
mia Regni Animalis, which treats of the coincidence of 
motion between the brain and lungs. In another part of 
the same Institutions of Physiology, when speaking of the 
causes for the motion of the blood, Blumenbach has the 
following remark : ' When the blood is expelled from the 
contracted cavities, a vacuum takes place, into which, 
according to the common laws of derivation, the neigh- 
boring blood must rush, being prevented, by means of the 
valves, from regurgitating.' In the notes, this discovery 
is attributed to Dr. Wilson, the author of An Inquiry into 
the Moving Powers employed in the Circulation of the 
Blood. But it appears that the same principle was known 
long before to Swedenborg ; and is applied by him to 
account for the motion of the blood, in the CEconomia 
Regni Animalis. For in the section on the circulation 
of the blood in the foetus, and on the foramen ovale, he 
says, \ Let us now revert to the mode by which the 



24 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

cerebrum attracts its blood, or, according to the theorem, 
subtracts that quantity which the ratio of its state requires. 
If now these arteries, veins, and sinus are dilated by 
reason of the animation of the cerebrum, it follows, that 
there must necessarily flow into them thus expanded, a 
portion of fresh blood, and that indeed by continuity from 
the carotid artery, and its tortuous duct in the cavernous 
receptacles, and into this by ^continuity from the antece- 
dent expanded and circumflexed cavities of the same 
artery ; consequently from the external (or common) 
caroted, and thence from the aorta and the heart : nearly 
similar to a bladder or syphon full of water, one end of 
which is immersed in the fluid ; if its sides be dilated, or 
its surface stretched out, and more especially if its length 
be shortened, an entirely fresh portion of the fluid flows 
into the space thus emptied by the enlargement; and this 
experience can demonstrate to occular satisfaction. Now 
this is the beneficial result of a natural equation, by which 
nature, in order to avoid a vacuum, in which state she 
would perish, or be annihilated, is in the constant ten- 
dency towards an equilibrium, according to laws purely 
physical. This mode of action of the brains, and their 
arterial impletion, may justly be called physical attraction ; 
not that it is attraction in the proper signification of the 
term, but that it is a filling of the vessels from a dilation 
or shortening of the coats, or a species of suction such as 
exists in pumps and syringes. A like mode of physical 
attraction obtains in every part of the body ; as in the 
muscles, which having forcibly expelled their blood, in- 
stantly require a re-impletion of their vessels.' In another 
part, 458, he says, ' There exists a great similitude 
between the vessels of the heart, and the vessels of the 
brains, so much so, that the latter cannot be more appro- 
priately compared with any other. 4. The vessels of 



LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 25 

the cerebrum perform their diastole, when the cerebrum 
is in its constriction, and vice versa; so also the vessels of 
the heart. 5. In the vessels of the cerebrum there is a 
species of physical attraction or suction, such as that of 
water in a syringe ; and this too is the case with the 
vessels of the heart, for in these, by being expanded and 
at the same time shortened, the blood necessarily flows, 
and that into the space thus enlarged/ Swedenborg 
says also, ' that it is this constant endeavor to establish a 
general equilibrium throughout the body, which deter- 
mines its various fluids to every part, whether viscus or 
member, and which being produced by exhaustion, the 
effect is such a determination of the blood, or other fluid, 
as the peculiar state of the part requires.' 

Had Swedenborg been desirous of fame, he would have 
made a different use of his knowledge. He regarded 
scientific knowledge only as means of becoming wise. 
Speaking, in the CEconomia, of those who are in pursuit 
of genuine wisdom, he says : 'They reckon the sciences 
and the mechanical arts, only among the ministers of 
wisdom, and they learn them as helps to their attainment, 
not that they may be reputed wise on account of their 
possessing them. They modestly restrain the external 
mind in its tendency to be elated and puffed up, because 
they perceive the sciences to form an ocean, of which 
they can only catch a few drops. They look at no one 
with a scornful brow or the spirit of superiority ; nor do 
they arrogate any of their attainments to themselves. 
They refer all to the Deity, an*d regard them as gifts 
from him, from whom all true wisdom springs as from its 
fountain.' 

The Animal Kingdom (Regnum Animale) is divided 
into three parts. The two first were printed at Amster- 
dam, in 1744, and the third at London, in 1745; they 



26 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

make together a thick quarto volume. The first part 
treats of the Viscera of the Abdomen, the second of the 
Viscera of the Thorax, and the third of the Organs of 
Sense. 

When he commenced this work it appears that it was 
his intention to have written a very large work ; for be- 
sides the above named subjects he promised the following: 

' It is my purpose afterwards to attempt a kind of In- 
troduction to a Rational Psychology, or to establish some 
new Doctrines, by the aid of which we may be led from 
the material organization of the body to the knowledge 
of the soul, which is immaterial; viz. the Doctrine of 
Forms ; the Doctrine of Order, and of Degrees ; also the 
Doctrine of Series, and of Society; the Doctrine of 
Influxes ; the Doctrine of Correspondences and of Repre- 
sentations; lastly, the Doctrine of Modification. 

1 From these Doctrines I shall afterwards proceed to a 
Rational Psychology itself, or to a Treatise concerning 
Action;, concerning External and Internal Sense; con- 
cerning Imagination and Memory; as also concerning 
the Affections of the Mind (animus) ; concerning Intel- 
lect, or concerning Thought and Will; concerning like- 
wise the Affections of the Rational Mind (mens) ; and 
concerning Instinct. 

i Lastly, concerning the Soul and its State in the Body, 
its Commerce, Affection, Immortality; also concerning 
its State after the Life of the Body ; to which will finally 
be added the Concordance to the various Systems.' 

This purpose was not carried into effect, at least, not 
in the form here expressed. In relation to this subject 
the editors of the Intellectual Repository make the fol- 
lowing remarks : 

' The fragment found among his papers and printed 
after his death, under the title of A Hieroglyphic Key to 



LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 27 

Representatives and Correspondences, appears to be an 
outline of that part of the great work which was to de- 
liver, as stated above, the Doctrine of Correspondences 
and Representations. But as about this time he received 
his superior illumination, and was called to the office of 
unfolding the interiors of the Word, and of delivering its 
genuine doctrines, for the use of the New Church, he 
discontinued his anatomical researches ; but having been 
made acquainted with the true Rational Psychology , and 
with all the subjects connected with it, as enumerated in 
the summary above, from a higher and infallible source, 
he has fully treated of them in his theological works. 
Having, as he repeatedly states, been prepared from his 
youth by the Lord for the great office to which he at 
length was called, he appears to have been led by Divine 
Providence to pursue his researches in science in an 
ascending direction, till he arrived as near, as it were, to 
the spiritual world, as it was possible for science to carry 
him ; and then, his mind being furnished with all the 
sciences necessary for the full reception of the spiritual 
things which he was to be made the instrument of reveal- 
ing to mankind, the Divine Hand, which hitherto had 
imperceptibly guided him, was openly discovered to him, 
and he was admitted into open communication with the 
spiritual world, and to the perception of interior spiritual 
truths by the opening to him of the spiritual sense of the 
Word. That this was the order through which his mind 
was led, appears, we think, evidently, from an inspection 
of his philosophical works, and especially of the three 
parts of the work now before us, the Regnum Animate" 
At this period of Swedenborg's life his w T hole mind 
seemed to be employed in investigating the properties of 
the soul, and its relation to the spiritual world. The most 
satisfactory account of the objects which he had in view 



28 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

at that time, may be gathered from his own words. The 
following extract is from the introduction to the Regnum 
Animale : 

■ To accomplish this grand end (the discovery of the 
soul) I enter the circus, designing to consider and thor- 
oughly examine that whole world or microcosm which 
the soul inhabits ; since I am persuaded she cannot be 
sought for any where but in her own kingdom. For tell 
me, where else is she to be found, but in that system to 
which she is adjoined and in-joined, and in which she is 
represented, and every moment exhibits herself for con- 
templation? The body is her image, resemblance, and 
type ; she herself is the model, the idea, the head, that is, 
the soul, of her body; thus she is represented in her 
body as in a mirror. For this reason I am induced 
to examine attentively the whole anatomy of her body, 
from the heel to the head, and from part to part ; and 
that I may come nearer to my subject, I have determined 
to explore the brain itself, where the soul has arranged 
her first organs. Lastly, I propose to examine the fibres, 
with the rest of the purer organical forms, and the forces 
and modes thence resulting. 

' But whereas it is not possible to climb up, and as it 
were to make a leap, from the organical, physical, and 
material world, or the body, immediately to the soul itself, 
of which neither matter, nor any adjuncts of matter are 
predicable, since spirit is above the comprehensible modes 
of nature, and inhabits a region where the significant 
language of physical things is of no account, therefore it 
was necessary for me to prepare new ways by which I 
might be led to her, and might gain for myself access to 
her palace: in other words, it was necessary, with the 
most intense application of mind [animus] to unfold, 
extricate, and bring to light some new doctrines for my 



LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 29 

guidance, being those enumerated above ; namely, the 
doctrines of forms, of order and degrees, of series and 
society, of communications and influxes, of correspond- 
ences and representations, and likewise of modifications, 
all which you will see collected into one treatise, which 
will be called an Introduction to a Rational Psychology. 

'Not long ago I published the CEconomia Regni 
Animalis, intended to be digested into several sections ; 
but I only completed the section relating to the blood, its 
arteries and heart, as also to the motion and cortex of 
the brain : I likewise, before passing through the whole 
of the intended course, took a compendious way to the 
soul : on which subject I also published a Prodromus. 
I have discovered, however, on deeper consideration, that 
I had been too quick and hasty in my steps, whilst I was 
attempting to attain a knowledge of the soul merely from 
an inquiry into the nature of the blood and its appropri- 
ate organs. But I was urged on by the ardor of my 
desire to arrive at the knowledge of that subject. But 
since the soul exerts her activity in supreme and inmost 
principles, and cannot be brought forth to view until all 
the coverings with which she is enveloped are unfolded in 
order ; I have determined not to desist from this part of 
my task, until I have traversed the whole field above- 
mentioned, even to the goal ; in other words, until I have 
explored the whole animal kingdom even to the soul. 
Thus it is my hope, if I bend my course continually 
inwards, that I shall be enabled, through Divine favor, 
to open all the doors which lead to her presence, and at 
length to be admitted to the view and contemplation of 
herself.' 

Those who are skilled in anatomy and have read this 
work, state, that Swedenborg was familiar with many 
truths in anatomy, which were unknown to other learned 
3 



30 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

men of his day. A passage of communication between 
the right and left, or two lateral ventricles of the cerebrum, 
was thought to have been first discovered by a celebrated 
anatomist of Edinburgh. But this is a mistake. 

The first discovery and description of this passage 
was claimed by the celebrated anatomist, Dr. Alexander 
Monro, of Edinburgh, and has since been conceded to 
him by succeeding anatomists : hence it goes by the de- 
nomination of the Foramen of Monro. Dr. Monro read 
a paper before the Philosophical Society of Edinburgh, 
on this subject, December 13th, 1764 ; but in his work 
entitled, ' Observations on the Structure and Functions of 
the Nervous System,' he says that he demonstrated this 
Foramen to his pupils so early as the year 1753. 

He allows that a communication was known and 
asserted to exist between those ventricles and the third, 
long prior to his time; but he shows, that it was never 
delineated after such a manner, nor in any way that 
could convey a precise idea respecting it ; much less was 
implied the existence of the Foramen he describes. 

The channel of communication seemed to be referred, 
chiefly, to the posterior part of the lateral ventricles, 
whilst the Foramen of Monro, is situated at their anterior 
part. 

Now in the Regnum Animale, p. 207, note (r) the 
following striking observation occurs : ' The communi- 
cating Foramina in the Cerebrum are called Anus and 
Vulva, besides the passage or emissary canal of the 
lymph ; by these the lateral ventricles communicate with 
each other, and with the third ventricle* 

* Foramina communicantia in cerebro vocantur Anus and 
Vulva, Pr-seter meatum seu emissarium lymphce, quibus ven- 
triculi laterales inter se, et cum tertio, communicant. 



LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 31 

This work was printed in the year 1744-5; but writ- 
ten, as we have reason to think, two or three years before 
its publication : hence the foramen here spoken of must 
have been described by Swedenborg from ten to twelve 
years prior to the earliest notice taken of it by Dr. Monro. 

But Swedenborg's object was not to astonish the world 
by discoveries in natural science ; hence no pains were 
taken to give circulation to his discoveries. His great 
object in investigating the organization of the human 
system, as already stated, was to attain to a knowledge 
of the nature, form, and constitution of the human mind. 
He ascertained that there were, in the composition of 
the blood, three distinct degrees ; that the arteries, veins, 
&,c. were also divided into three distinct degrees : ' The 
red blood is a substance of a lower degree, to which cor- 
responds the purer or colorless blood, and to this again 
the animal spirit, which holds a common and universal 
sway through the lower gradations. So in the means of 
carrying on the threefold circulation, the arteries are of 
the lowest degree, to which correspond in a higher de- 
gree the vessels for the purer blood, and in the highest, 
the medullary fibre, or simple nerve. The muscles have 
their several corresponding degrees in the carneous mov- 
ing fibre, the white moving fibre, and the highest, the 
nervous moving fibre.' Hence he rationally concluded 
that there were three degrees in the human mind, answer- 
ing to, and corresponding with, the three degrees in the 
human body. The first or lowest degree of the mind he 
termed sensual ; the second degree moral and intellectual ; 
the third degree spiritual ; to the first he ascribed the 
province of the natural sciences, and the enjoyment of 
sensual delights ; to the second, rational wisdom, and the 
enjoyment of social order ; to the third, spiritual truths 
relating to heavenly life. He made the salvation and 



32 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

happiness of man to consist in the due subordination of 
the several parts, — the lower being always subject to 
the higher degrees. 

The Worship and Love of God, (De Cultu et Amore 
Dei,) in two parts, was published in London, in 1744, 
in 4to. The first part treats of the Origin of the Earth, 
of Paradise, of the Birth, Infancy, and Love of the First 
Man, or Adam. The second part treats of the Marriage 
of the First Man ; of the Soul, the Intellectual Spirit, of 
the State of Integrity, and of the Image of God. 

This work, as well as the two last noticed above, was 
written by Swedenborg previous to his illumination, 
which took place in 1743 ; but they were published after 
that period. The style of this work is rather peculiar, 
and differs from that of all his other works written before 
or after it. 

In explaining the subject of creation the principle 
maintained by him, is, that seven planets were created 
at the same time from the sun of our solar system. It is 
to be observed that this book was published long before 
the actual discovery of the seventh planet by Dr. Herschel. 

The most important principle contained in this work 
is that of the creation of the earth from the sun as its 
proximate cause. To those who are accustomed to think 
that the earth was created out of nothing, the above idea 
may seem strange. But those who reflect on providence 
as operating according to the laws of order, will see 
proofs enough in the works of nature of the principle of 
creation as laid down by Swedenborg. It is but reason- 
able to conclude that the creation of the earth from the 
sun, in the first instance, could not have differed, essen- 
tially, from the le-creation which we constantly see taking 
place. It is known, in botany, that a tree is created 
anew every year. The outer bark and the wood which 



LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 33 

constitutes the middle of the tree, are merely the relics 
of successive productions or creations. The same law 
extends to the whole vegetable kingdom. Thus we see 
that the earth is continually created anew by the operation 
of heat and light from the sun. This is not an idle, 
speculative subject. It involves spiritual, practical truths, 
which ought to be familiar to the mind. All things in 
the natural world are dependent for life and support on 
the sun, even as our affections and thoughts, and what- 
ever we have that is spiritual within us, depend for their 
support and continuance on the sun of the spiritual world, 
which is directly from the Lord himself. In the opera- 
tions of outward nature the man of reflection will thus 
perceive an image of the work which is going on within 
him; while his natural man is delighted with a view of the 
earth's richest scenery, his spiritual man is instructed in 
things appertaining to his salvation. 



CHAPTER III. 



SWEDENBORG CALLED TO UNFOLD THE TRUTHS OF THE 

NEW DISPENSATION AN ACCOUNT GIVEN OF HIM BY 

A SWEDISH CLERGYMAN, NOW LIVING. 

In 1743, Swedenborg, at the age of 54, relinquished 
his philosophical pursuits, and devoted himself exclusively 
to unfolding the doctrines of the New Jerusalem Church. 
He retained his office as Assessor of the Metallic College 
until 1747, when he resigned : the salary annexed to the 
office, was, however, continued to him during life. At 
the time he retired from the office of assessor, he was 
3* 



34 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

offered a higher degree of rank and other privileges under 
the government, all which he declined receiving. In 
relation to this period of his life he says, ' I have been 
called to a holy office by the Lord himself, who most gra- 
ciously manifested himself in person to me, his servant, 
in the year 1743; when he opened my sight to the view 
of the spiritual world, and granted me the privilege of 
conversing with spirits and angels. 5 '. From that time I 
began to print and publish various arcana that have been 
seen by me or revealed to me ; as respecting heaven and 
hell, the state of man after death, the true worship of 
God, the spiritual sense of the Word ; with many other 
more important matters conducive to salvation and true 
wisdom.'* 

It is not often that Swedenborg alludes to himself in 
his theological works. In the True Christian Religion, 
however, in the chapter on the Consummation of the Age, 
are the following remarks : 

1 That this second coming of the Lord is effected by 
the instrumentality of a man, before whom he has mani- 
fested himself in person, and whom he has filled with his 
spirit, to teach from him the doctrines of the New Church 
by means of the Word. 

1 Since the Lord cannot manifest himself in person (to the 
world,) and yet he has foretold that he would come and 
establish a New Church, which is the New Jerusalem, it 
follows that he will effect this by the instrumentality of a 
man, who is able not only to receive the doctrines of that 
Church in his understanding, but also to make them 
known by the press. That the Lord manifested himself 
before me his servant, that he sent me on this office, and 
afterwards opened the sight of my spirit, and so let me 
into the spiritual world, permitting me to see the heavens 

* Letter to Dr. Hartley. 



LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 35 

and the hells, and also to converse with angels and spirits, 
and this now continually for many years, I attest in 
truth ; and further, that from the first day of my call to 
this ofnce, I have never received any thing appertaining 
to the doctrines of that church from any angel, but from 
the Lord alone, whilst I was reading the Word. To the 
end that the Lord might be constantly present, he reveal- 
ed to me the spiritual sense of his Word, in which sense 
Divine Truth is in its light, and in this light he is contin- 
ually present.' 

The character of Swedenborg's illumination cannot, 
perhaps, in the present state of the church, be fully under- 
stood. He acknowledges himself to have been but a 
mere servant of the Lord in all he wrote. But in all that 
he has written his rational principle was operative and 
instrumental in giving form to the truths which were reveal- 
ed through him : whereas the prophets, according to his 
account, wrote what was dictated to them, and received 
and conveyed truths to the world without understanding 
their import; what they communicated passed not through 
their internal but through their external minds. Hence 
their writings did not belong to them — made no part of 
them — but proceeded immediately from the Lord, and 
were infinitely holy. But to the writers themselves no 
holiness is to be attached. 

It is difficult, for those who do not reflect deeply, to 
separate in their minds the sanctity of the Word from 
the persons named in it, and from the persons who, by 
dictation, wrote it; but this is easily done when the spirit- 
ual and divine sense of the Word is received and under- 
stood. From this view of the subject it may appear, that 
Swedenborg's writings bear no comparison with the 
Word or Sacred Scriptures, as the former are finite and 
the latter infinite : also, that Swedenborg can in nowise 



36 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

be compared with the prophets, as the former received 
revealed truths into his rational principle and communi- 
cated them to the world, having an understanding of 
their meaning and quality ; while the latter received and 
communicated Divine Truth, of the quality and import of 
which they were almost entirely ignorant. Spiritual 
truths appeared to the latter miraculous, to the former, 
as above miracles. But concerning the difference of 
illumination between Swedenborg and the prophets, evan- 
gelists, &c, but more particularly the men of the most 
ancient church, a better idea may be had in an extract 
from his diary on the subject of miracles : 

'Instead of miracles there has taken place at the pres- 
ent day an open manifestation of the Lord himself, an 
intromission into the spiritual world, and with it illumina- 
tion by immediate light from the Lord in whatever relates 
to the interior things of the church, but principally an 
opening of the spiritual sense of the Word, in which the 
Lord is present in his own Divine Light. These revela- 
tions are not miracles, because every man as to his spirit 
is in the spiritual world, without separation from his body 
in the natural world. As to myself, indeed, my presence 
in the spiritual world is attended with a certain separa- 
tion, but only as to the intellectual part of my mind, not 
as to the will part. This manifestation of the Lord, and 
intromission into the spiritual world, is more excellent 
than all miracles ; but it has not been granted to any one 
since the creation of the world as it has been to me. 
The men of the golden age indeed conversed with angels ; 
but it was not granted to them to be in any other light 
than what is natural. To me, however, it has been 
granted to be in both spiritual and natural light at the 
same time ; and hereby I have been privileged to see the 
wonderful things of heaven, to be in company with angels, 



LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 37 

just as I am with men, and at the same time to pursue 
truths in the light of truth, and thus to perceive and be 
gifted with them, consequently to be led by the Lord.' 

We here introduce an extract of a letter written by 
Swedenborg, in 1766, to Mr. Oettinger, superintendent 
of the mines in Sweden. It will be perceived that it was 
written in answer to some questions relative to the office 
alluded to above : 

1 To your interrogation, Whether there is occasion for 
any sign that I am sent by the Lord to do what I do? I 
answer, that at this day no signs or miracles will be given, 
because they compel only an external belief, but do not 
convince the internal. What did the miracles avail in 
Egypt, or among the Jewish nation, who nevertheless 
crucified the Lord ? So, if the Lord was to appear now 
in the sky, attended with angels and trumpets, it would 
have no other effect than it had then. See Luke xvi. 29, 
30, 31. The sign given at this day, will be an illustra- 
tion, and thence a knowledge and reception of the truths 
of the New Church; some speaking illustration of certain 
persons may likewise take place ; this works more effect- 
ually than miracles : yet one token may perhaps still be 
given. 

' Why from philosophy I have been chosen to this office? 
Unto which I give for answer, to the end that the spirit- 
ual knowledge, which is revealed at this day, might be 
rationally learned, and naturally understood ; because 
spiritual truths answer unto natural ones, inasmuch as 
these originate and flow from them, and serve as a 
foundation for the former. That what is spiritual is 
similar unto, and corresponds with what is human or 
natural, or belonging to the terrestrial orb, may be seen 
in the treatise on Heaven and Hell, No. 87, to 102, and 
103 to 115. I was, on this account, by the Lord, first 



38 LirE OF SWEDENBORG. 

introduced into the natural sciences, and thus prepared 
from the year 1710 to 1744, when heaven was opened 
unto me. Every one is morally educated and spiritually 
regenerated by the Lord, by being led from what is 
natural to what is spiritual. Moreover, the Lord has 
given unto me a love of spiritual truth, that is to say, not 
with any view to honor or profit, but merely for the sake 
of truth itself; for every one who loves truth, merely for 
the sake of truth, sees it from the Lord, the Lord being 
the way and the truth. See John xiv. 6. But he who 
professes the love of truth for the sake of honor or gain, 
sees truth from his own selfhood, and to see from one's 
self, is to see falsity. The confirmation of falsehood shuts 
the church, but a rational confirmation of truth opens it ; 
what man can otherwise comprehend spiritual things, 
which enter into the understanding? The doctrinal 
notion received in the protestant church, viz. that in 
theological matters, reason should be held captive under 
obedience to faith, locks up the church; what can open 
it, if not an understanding enlightened by the Lord 1 See 
the book of the Revelations Revealed, No. 914.' 

There is an account given of Swedenborg's first illu- 
mination or introduction into the spiritual world, which 
has been attached to the prefaces of some of the early 
translations of his works. In this account it is repre- 
sented that his illumination took place at an inn, in Lon- 
don, while at dinner. But there is no mention made of 
this circumstance in any of his writings, and it has been 
ascertained that there never was any account of the affair 
printed, until it first appeared in the preface to a transla- 
tion in French of the treatise on Heaven and Hell, which 
was printed many years after Swedenborg's death. Other 
circumstances relative to Swedenborg are told in the same 
preface, which are distinctly ascertained to be untrue. 



LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 39 

This, together with the fact that the statement first 
appeared in France, where little was known at that 
time of Swedenborg and his writings, is sufficient to 
weaken its credibility. But there is a general impression 
among the receivers of the doctrines of the New Church, 
that the narrative, as there given, is, in itself, improbable, 
and that although it may be in some respects true, it is 
nevertheless in its detail incorrectly stated. 

Swedenborg, while engaged in writing the doctrines of 
the New Church, resided in London for a number of 
years, at different periods. His object in going there 
was to avail himself of some facilities which that place 
afforded him in publishing his works, and in making them 
known to the learned world. His works, however, were 
generally distributed through the medium of his friends; as 
he himself lived in retirement, and saw but little company. 
Whenever he took up his residence in Stockholm, he 
dwelt in his own house, situated in the southern part of 
the city, having no other attendants than his gardener 
and the gardener's wife. He had an extensive garden 
with flowers and shrubbery in abundance, together with 
a handsome greenhouse, in both of which he took much 
delight The whole proceeds of the garden, however, 
were given to the gardener. 

He read but little after he commenced unfolding the 
doctrines of the New Church. In his study no other 
books were to be seen but the Hebrew and Greek Bible, 
together with the indexes of his own works, whereby he 
saved himself the trouble, when referring to different 
passages, of going through all which he had before 
written. 

A Swedish gentleman, of advanced age, is still living 
in Philadelphia, who visited Swedenborg at his house in 
Stockholm, and held a long conversation with him. This 



40 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

gentleman is the Rev. Nicholas Collin, Rector of the 
Swedish Church in Philadelphia. In 1801 Mr. Collin 
published an account of Swedenborg, in a series of num- 
bers, in the Philadelphia Gazette, which was afterwards 
copied into the New Jerusalem Repository, published in 
Philadelphia. An account of Swedenborg from a living 
witness will doubtless be peculiarly acceptable to many ; 
a portion of his communications, therefore, is here pre- 
sented. It is proper to remark that Mr. Collin is not a 
receiver of the doctrines of the New Church, but his mo- 
tive for making these communications is stated in his first 
article, in these words : 

' Swedenborg's writings have, for some years, in this 
country, been objects of curiosity to several persons, and 
they have also won disciples to his doctrines, either in the 
whole or in part. From this have arisen frequent and 
sedulous inquiries on the character and life of this re- 
markable man. It having been reported that I had con- 
versed with him, and that I had otherwise known for 
certain several facts concerning him, I have been request- 
ed by several persons, some of them living in distant parts, 
to communicate such information. To gratify them, and 
also to prevent mistakes that arise in repeating verbal 
relations, and even in copies of letters, I choose to state 
what I can impart in print. 5 

Mr. Collin commences by introducing Swedenborg's 
letter to Dr. Hartley, (Appendix No. II.) and then makes 
some comments on the same. 

' His family connexions were such as he relates, and 
well known in Sweden ; some of them by myself person- 
ally ; particularly Bishop Benzelstierna. The mention of 
his father, being, though honorable, modestly short, I 
shall enlarge upon it. This Jesper Swedberg was well 
qualified for one of the principal bishopricks in Sweden, 



LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 41 

by his piety, learning, integrity, benevolence, and all 
other virtues. His plain manner of living enforced his 
zealous remonstrances against pomp and luxury, which, 
if not very common, yet were the more pernicious in that 
distressful period, when Sweden had lost her veteran 
armies, depended in a great measure on lads and old 
men for the combined forces of Russia, Poland, and Den- 
mark, and was moreover consuming by famine and pes- 
tilence. The bishop's influence animated that patriotic 
fortitude which sustained such burthens and misery, and 
blazed in so many battles ! His popularity gave particu- 
lar energy to some public regulations, which lessened the 
havoc of pestilence : a judicious and pathetic address to 
the people, convinced them that interring in new grounds 
was a necessary measure, though a temporary sacrifice of 
their laudable attachment to the consecrated ground in 
which the earthly remains of their beloved relatives re- 
posed. The bishop was for many years superintendent 
of the Swedish mission about Delaware. His letters to 
the clergy and the congregations, which are preserved on 
its records, bear witness to his zeal, kindness, and love 
of science. He requested of the missionaries to inform 
him of any extraordinary events in the moral and physical 
world, which happened in these parts of America. 

' Swedenborg is silent on the merits of his youth, which 
were great. The author of a dissertation on the Royal 
Society of Sciences at Upsal, published in 1789, mentions 
him as one of its first and best members, thus : " His 
letters to the Society while abroad, witness that few can 
travel so usefully. An indefatigable curiosity, directed to 
various important objects, is conspicuous in all. Mathe- 
matics, astronomy, and mechanics, seem to have been his 
favorite sciences, and he had already made great progress 
in these. Every where he became acquainted with the 



42 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

most renowned mathematicians and astronomers, as 
Flamstead, Delahire, Varignon, &c. This pursuit of 
knowledge was also united with a constant zeal to 
benefit his country. No sooner was he informed of some 
useful discovery, than he was solicitous to render it bene- 
ficial to Sweden by sending home models. When a good 
book was published, he not only gave immediate notice 
of it, but contrived to procure it for the library of the 
University." 

' That Swedenborg, on his return, was honored by 
frequent conversations with Charles XII. may well be 
believed by all who knew the real character of that king : 
he was not a mere warrior, but fond of useful sciences, 
though impeded from their promotion by a long unremitted 
warfare, which was indeed, after the defeat at Pultowa, 
a necessary struggle for the independence of his country. 
He had. also acquired some knowledge of mathematics, 
and used, at leisure hours, to amuse himself and his offi- 
cers with the solution of problems. 

' Swedenborg asserts with truth, that he was in favor 
with the royal family, and generally respected by the first 
classes. This was due to his learning and excellence of 
character. The then queen, Louisa Ulrica, sister of 
Frederic, the celebrated king of Prussia, had extraordi- 
nary talents and literary acquisitions. She patronised 
the arts and sciences in Sweden. Her large and excel- 
lent library, which I have seen, employed much of her 
time. Gustavus, her son, then hereditary prince, after- 
wards king, was distinguished by his talents and promotion 
of the sciences, both useful and ornamental. The prelates 
and others of the clergy, many of whom were his relatives 
and friends, honored him on the same ground, being 
themselves scholars and well bred persons. He could 
therefore assure his friend (Dr. Hartley) that he was in 
no danger of persecution. 



LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 43 

; In the course of my education at the University of 
Upsal, I had free access to its excellent library, which, 
by its own revenue, and by donations, receives continually 
one or more copies of every interesting new book. There 
I perused the theological treatises of Swedenborg, pub- 
lished till the year 1765 ; among them, Arcana Ccelestia, 
De Caelo et Inferno, &c. In that year, I went to reside 
at Stockholm, and continued partly in that city, and 
partly in its vicinity for near three years. During that 
time, Swedenborg was a great object of public attention 
in this metropolis, and his extraordinary character was a 
frequent topic of discussion. He resided at his house in 
the southern suburbs, which was in a pleasant situation, 
neat and convenient, with a spacious garden, and other 
appendages. There he received company. Not seldom 
he also appeared in public, and mixed in private societies. 
Therefore sufficient opportunities were given to make 
observation on him. I collected much information from 
several respectable persons, who had conversed with him ; 
which was the more easy, as I lived the whole time, as 
private tutor, in the family of Dr. Celsius, a gentleman 
of distinguished talents, who afterwards became bishop of 
Scania ; he and many of the eminent persons that fre- 
quented his house, knew Swedenborg well. 

1 In the summer of 1766, 1 waited on hirn at his house ; 
introducing myself, with an apology for the freedom I 
took ; assuring him that it was not in the least from youth- 
ful presumption, (I was then twenty,) but from a desire 
of conversing with a character so celebrated. He re- 
ceived me very kindly. It being early in the afternoon, 
delicate coffee without eatables was served, agreeable to 
the Swedish custom : he was also, like pensive men in 
general, fond of this beverage. We conversed for near 
three hours ; principally on the nature of human souls, 



44 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

and their states in the invisible world ; discussing the 
principal theories of psychology, by various authors; 
among them the celebrated Dr. Wallerius, late professor 
of Natural Theology at Upsal. He asserted positively, 
as he often does in his works, that he had intercourse 
with spirits of deceased persons. I presumed, therefore, 
to request "of him as a great favor, to procure me an in- 
terview with my brother, who had departed this life a few 
months before \ a young clergyman officiating in Stock- 
holm, and esteemed for his devotion, erudition and virtue. 
He answered that God having for wise and good purposes 
separated the world of spirits from ours, a communication 
is never granted without cogent reasons ; and asked what 
my motives were 1 I confessed that I had none besides 
gratifying brotherly affection, and an ardent wish to ex- 
plore scenes so sublime and interesting to a serious mind. 
He replied, that my motives were good, but not sufficient ; 
that if any important spiritual or temporal concern of 
mine had been the case, he would then have solicited 
permission. He showed me the garden. It had an 
agreeable building ; a wing of which was a kind of temple, 
to which he often retired for contemplation ; for which, its 
peculiar structure, and dim, religious light, were suitable. 

' We parted with mutual satisfaction ; and he presented 
by me, to the said Dr. Celsius, an elegant copy of his 
Apocalypsis Revelata, then lately printed at Amsterdam. 

1 1 should have improved this personal acquaintance : 
but Swedenborg went soon afterwards on his last travels ; 
from which he did not return ; he died in London, and 
was buried in the cemetery of the Swedish church.' 



LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 45 



CHAPTER IV. 
THE THEOLOGICAL WRITINGS OF SWEDENBORG. 

The works of Swedenborg, which are exclusively de- 
voted to unfolding the truths of the new dispensation, 
comprise, when taken together, an amount equal to 
about twenty-seven volumes octavo, of five hundred 
pages each; twenty volumes of which are employed 
in explaining the spiritual sense of the Sacred Scrip- 
tures. 

There are, however, many unpublished manuscripts 
of Swedenborg, deposited in the library of the Acad- 
emy of Sciences at Stockholm ; a catalogue of which 
may be seen in the Appendix No. III. Many of these 
manuscripts are doubtless very valuable, but most of 
them, it is presumed, are first drafts of works which were 
afterwards written over again and published. They 
were deposited in the library by the heirs of Swedenborg 
immediately after his death. The Academy is not author- 
ized to dispose of them ; but copies may be taken, and 
it is probable that, ere long, a portion of them will be 
published. The Diary of Swedenborg, which has not 
been published, now remains in the hands of the Rev. 
Mr. Sibley, of London. Its contents, it is said, are 
highly valuable to the New Church, and it is hoped 
that the work will be published before any accident shall 
occur to deprive the church of so rich a treasure. But 
we return to the works already published. 

In the first place it is to be remarked that the style of 
Swedenborg, especially in his theological works, is rather 
4* 



46 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

peculiar. This is chiefly to be accounted for from the 
fact that the truths which he has revealed are new to the 
world. A language is used exactly suited to the ideas 
conveyed. It is simple, and to those who are in a state 
to receive the truths communicated, it is perfectly 
intelligible. There is much precision in his use of 
terms. It would seldom be easy to substitute one term 
for another, however similar in appearance, without 
altering or destroying his meaning. It is proper, how- 
ever, to remark that the translations into English, of his 
works, were made at an early period of the New Church, 
when there were but few members able to devote their 
time to the work of translating; and when, too, it is but 
reasonable to conclude, the truths of the new dispensa- 
tion were not so well understood as at the present time. 
The style may be somewhat improved, and the sense 
rendered more clear, by new or revised translations of 
his works. 

We can do little more than introduce the titles of most 
of the works, and some general remarks in connexion 
with a few of them. And as there appears to be no 
necessity of following the order in which they were pub- 
lished by Swedenborg, we prefer to arrange them into 
four different classes. By this means the reader will 
be better enabled to select such work to peruse as his 
judgment may seem to dictate. It is to be noted that 
the members of the New Church do not prescribe any 
particular order in which the works are to be read. 

The first class of Swedenborg's writings consists of his 
Doctrinal Works: the second treats of subjects which 
are generally termed metaphysical : the third and most 
important class, comprises those works which unfold the 
spiritual sense of the Sacred Scriptures. The fourth 
class, much of which will be found interspersed through 



LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 47 

the three first, treats of the nature and appearances of 
the spiritual world, and the state of man after death. 

CLASS I. 

1. The New Jerusalem and its Heavenly Doctrines. 
12mo. pp. 72. (De Nova Hierosolyma, &c. London, 
1758. 4to.) This work treats of the following subjects : 
Of the New Heaven and New Earth, and what is meant 
by the New Jerusalem : Introduction to the Doctrine : 
Of Good and Truth : Of Will and Understanding : Of 
the Internal and External Man : Of Love in General : 
Of the Loves of Self and the World : Of Love towards 
the Neighbor, or Charity : Of Faith : Of Piety : Of Free- 
dom : Of Merit : Of Repentance and the Remission of 
Sins: Of Regeneration: Of Temptation: Of Baptism: 
Of the Holy Supper : Of the Resurrection : Of Heaven 
and Hell : Of the Church : Of the Sacred Scripture, or 
the Word : Of Providence : Of the Lord : Of Ecclesiasti- 
cal and Civil Government. All these subjects are ex- 
plained briefly, but with clearness. This work has 
already been through four editions in this country, and 
five in England. 

2. The Four Leading Doctrines of the New Church. 
This comprises four separate treatises, viz. The Doctrine 
of the New Jerusalem concerning the Lord; concerning 
the Sacred Scripture ; concerning Faith ; and concerning 
Life. These were all published separately by Sweden- 
borg, in 1763, at Amsterdam. They are now to be had 
either separately or bound together in one work. The 
treatise on the White Horse, a pamphlet of twelve or 
fifteen pages, is also added to the same work. Taken 
together they form a work equal to about two hundred 
and fifty pages octavo. The subjects embraced in the 
above work are explained in a similar manner as in the 



48 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

larger works, which we shall have occasion to notice 
hereafter. 

In the treatise on the Sacred Scripture an account is 
given of the ancient Word which was lost, in addition to 
which a more particular account of it is given in the True 
Christian Religion, from which the following extracts 
are taken. 

' Concerning that ancient Word which was in Asia 
before the Israelitish Word, I am at liberty to give this 
information : that it is still reserved amongst the people 
who live in Great Tartary. I have conversed with spirits 
and angels in the spiritual world, who came from that 
country, and who informed me that they are in posses- 
sion of the Word, and that they have possessed it time 
immemorial, and that according to this Word they cele- 
brate their divine worship, and that it consists of mere 
correspondences. They said likewise that it contains 
the book of Jasher, mentioned in Joshua, chap. x. 12, 
13; and in the second book of Samuel, chap. i. 17, 18: 
and that they are also in possession of the books called 
The Wars of Jehovah and The Enunciations, which are 
mentioned by Moses, Numbers, xxi. 14, 15, and 27 to 
30 ; and when I read before them the words which Moses 
had quoted from those books, they examined whether 
they were in the original, and they found them ; from 
which circumstances it is evident to me, that they are 

still in possession of the ancient Word I have 

further been informed by the angels that the first chap- 
ters of Genesis, which treats of the creation of Adam and 
Eve, of the garden of Eden, and of their children and 
posterity till the flood, and likewise of Noah and his 
children, are contained in that Word, and so were copied 
from it by Moses.' 

3. A Brief Exposition of the Doctrines of the New 



LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 49 

Church. 12mo. pp. 100. (Summaria Expositio, &c. 
Amsterdam, 1769.) This work was published as a pre- 
cursor to the True Christian Religion. The author 
states in it that he is about to publish a complete view 
of the doctrines of the New Church. The following are 
his introductory remarks : 

'Several works and tracts having been published by 
me, during some years past, concerning the New Jeru- 
salem, whereby is meant a New Church about to be es- 
tablished by the Lord, and the Apocalypse having been 
revealed, I am come to a determination to lay before the 
world a complete view of the doctrine of that church in 
its full extent ; but, as this is a work of some years, I 
have thought it advisable to draw up some sort of sketch 
thereof, in order that a general idea may first be formed 
of that church and its doctrine ; because when general 
principles precede, then the several particulars will appear 
at full in a clear light, for these enter into general prin- 
ciples, as things homogeneous into their proper recepta- 
cles. This compendium, however, is not designed for 
critical examination, but is barely offered to the world 
by way of information, as its contents will be proved at 
large in the work itself. But it is necessary first to state 
the doctrinals at present maintained concerning justifica- 
tion, that the following contrast between the doctrines of 
the present church, and those of the New Church, may 
be clearly understood.' 

In this work he gives an account of the Doctrinals of 
Roman Catholics and the Protestants concerning Justifi- 
cation, and then contrasts them with the Doctrines of 
the New Church. 

4. True Christian Religion, or the Universal Theology 
of the New Church, &c. (Vera Christiana Religio, &c. 
Amsterdam, 1771. 4to.) This work, in English, is 



50 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

comprised in two octavo volumes of about six hundred 
pages each ; it gives a complete view of the doctrine of 
the New Church, in fourteen chapters, as follows : 1. Of 
God the Creator, and of Creation : 2. Of the Lord the 
Redeemer, and of Redemption : 3. Of the Holy Spirit 
and of the Divine Operation, and of the Divine Trinity: 
4. Of the Sacred Scripture, or Word of the Lord : 5. 
The Decalogue explained as to its external and internal 
sense : 6. Of Faith : 7. Of Charity, or love towards our 
neighbor, and of Good Works : 8. Of Freewill : 9. Of 
Repentance : 10. Of Reformation and Regeneration : 
11. Of Imputation : 12. Of Baptism : 13. Of the Holy 
Supper : 14. Of the Consummation of the Age ; of the 
Coming of the Lord ; and of the New Heaven and New 
Church. 

All the above subjects are very fully explained, and the 
errors of the prevailing doctrines of the day are exposed 
with great freedom, and contrasted with the truths of the 
new dispensation. 

This is the last work which Swedenborg wrote. He 
was between eighty-two and eighty-four years of age when 
he was engaged in its publication. And for vigor of style, 
clearness of thought, and copiousness of illustration, it is 
surpassed by none of his previous works. In relation to 
this work he frequently remarked that he should not die 
until it was completed. This is the only theological work 
to which he prefixed his name, in doing which he was 
influenced, as we shall have occasion to notice elsewhere, 
by the advice of a friend. 

To give a view of the above work would be nothing less 
than to give a view of the doctrines of the New Jerusalem 
Church ; just what the author has done. From a glance 
at the heads of the several chapters above named, the 
general reader might be led to imagine that the author 



LIFE OF SWEDENBORG, 51 

believed in some of the prevailing doctrines of the day, 
such as those relating to the trinity, regeneration, &c. 
as they are now received. But this is not the case. The 
doctrine of the trinity, as unfolded in the New Church, 
is totally different from the doctrine of the trinity as gen- 
erally explained at the present day. From the light of 
the New Church it is seen that there is a trinity of Father, 
Son, and Holy Spirit in the person of Jesus Christ, cor- 
responding to the trinity or threefold principle of soul, 
body, and their operation in man. This doctrine is new, 
and cannot be readily received without giving up every 
other doctrine connected with that of a trinity of persons. 
The doctrine of regeneration, as understood in the New 
Church, is also entirely different from regeneration as 
explained at the present day. In the New Church, re- 
generation is regarded as a gradual, progressive, work. 
It commences in infancy with those who suffer themselves 
to be regenerated, and continues to the end of life, and 
afterwards to eternity. The several stages of man's re- 
generation or spiritual life may be compared to the several 
stages of his natural life. There is an actual corres- 
pondence between the spiritual birth and growth, and the 
natural birth and growth, of man. The one takes place 
with as little violation of the laws of order as the other. 
Thus, without entering into a particular explanation of 
the subject, which would be foreign from our present 
purpose, it will readily be perceived that the subject of 
regeneration, as unfolded in this work, is new and has 
little in common with the sentiments which are so strongly 
urged at the present day. 

The ordinances of Baptism and the Holy Supper, as 
explained in this work, are full of spiritual instruction. 
Baptism signifies regeneration ; and as water signifies the 
truths of faith, baptism by water signifies that man is to 



52 LIFE OF SWEDENBOB.G. 

be regenerated by the truths of faith. In the Holy Sup- 
per the bread and wine represent the good of love and 
the truths of faith from the Lord, and their reception and 
appropriation by man when he rightly conforms to the 
ordinance. But for a more particular explanation of these 
subjects the reader must be referred to the work itself. 

5. The Coronis, or Appendix to the True Christian 
Religion. 8vo. pp. 136. This is a posthumous work, 
and was either left unfinished, or a part of the manu- 
script was lost. It treats of the several churches which 
have existed on earth, and gives an account of their 
several doctrines. 

CLASS II. 

1. The Wisdom of Angels concerning the Divine Love 
and the Divine Wisdom. 8vo. pp. 356. (Sapientia 
Angelica de Divino Amore et Divina Sapientia. Am- 
sterdam, 1763. 4to.) 

This work treats of God the Creator, and of creation. 
It is shown that the Lord alone is love itself and life itself, 
and that man has life only by a constant reception of it 
from the Lord. All living beings except man are born 
with a knowledge of whatever is requisite for their sup- 
port and happiness, but man is born in ignorance of all 
things necessary to his support or conducive to his hap- 
piness, to the end that he may acknowledge his constant 
dependence on the Lord. The doctrine that man is a 
mere recipient of life is important, and is necessarily 
connected with all the truths of the new dispensation. 

In this work it is shown that there is a sun in the 
spiritual world corresponding to the sun in the natural 
world, that it appears before the eyes of angels in like 
manner as the sun of the natural world appears before 
the eyes of men, with this difference, that the sun of the 
spiritual world never sets. The spiritual sun is the heat 



LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 53 

and light or love and wisdom which emanates from the 
Lord. 

The natural world and all things therein exist from 
the spiritual world and spiritual objects to which they 
correspond. Evil was not created in the beginning, and 
never from the Lord, but had its origin in man. It grew 
out of the freewill in which man was necessarily created. 
As mankind gradually declined from the state of purity 
in which they were originally created, the face of nature 
gradually changed and became also corrupt. 

In the latter part of the work the correspondence of 
the soul with the body is explained with much particu- 
larity. Diseases of the body are seen to have their 
origin in diseases of the mind. In the Most Ancient 
Church, before the degeneracy of mankind, there were 
no diseases, and even death was unaccompanied with 
pain. The body which had served its purpose in the 
natural world, was then thrown off as an useless garment. 
A premature death was unknown to them. 

2. The Wisdom of the Angels concerning the Divine 
Providence, 8vo. pp. 469. (Sapientia Divina de Divina 
Providentia. Amsterdam, 1764. 4to.) 

The author commences by showing that the Divine 
Providence is the government of the Divine Love and the 
Divine Wisdom of the Lord. Infinite Love and Wisdom 
are constantly operating with man, from his birth even to 
the end of his life, and afterwards to eternity, with an 
endeavor to produce in him the best possible good which 
he will suffer himself to receive from the Lord. Neither 
is there any intermission or variation in the operations of 
Providence. The Lord does not, as is implied in the 
theology of the present day, sometimes withdraw himself 
from mankind, and at other times deign to show them 
favor, but is constantly ordering and disposing the events 
5 



54 LIFE OP SWEDENBORG. 

connected with the life of every individual in a manner 
best calculated to promote his spiritual welfare. 

We are taught by the doctrine here unfolded that spirit- 
ual mercies cannot be communicated to man unless he is 
in a state to receive them in freedom ; and that hence he 
is capable of exercising his freewill in spiritual things. 
He is capable of receiving or rejecting the Divine gui- 
dance. It is a necessary law of his nature that he should 
be free. The Lord cannot violate this freedom, because 
in so doing he would act contrary to his own laws of 
order. Under the government of the Lord, however, man 
is restrained from doing injury to others; but this is a 
restraint only on his natural freedom ; he is not compelled 
to love the Lord or his neighbor, because it is impossible 
that love should be implanted in a state of compulsion. 

As the Lord cannot, without the cooperation of man, 
remove his evils, so neither can man, without looking to 
the Lord for assistance, remove his own evils, but he is 
able, through Divine assistance, to remove and shun them 
without violating his own freedom ; for if he wills to re- 
move and shun them, he does it in freedom. 

In the permissions of evil and in the government of the 
wicked, the Divine Providence is equally operative as in 
the immediate manifestation of his goodness in the gov- 
ernment of angels and good men. In all the scenes of 
misery which take place in this life or in the spiritual 
world, the Lord is ever present, never suffering an evil to 
take place where one really less injurious could have been 
substituted consistently with the laws of order, and the 
freewill of those concerned. But although man is not 
compelled by the Lord, contrary to his own freedom, to 
desist from evil, he is, nevertheless, restrained by the 
constant influences of his Holy Spirit to the extent which 
his freedom will admit. More than this would be con- 
trary to Divine Order, and injurious to man himself. 



LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 55 

The natural man is disposed to doubt the perpetual 
operation of the Divine Providence, when he sees the 
wicked prosper and prevail over the good, when he sees 
artifice and stratagem successful, and when he reflects 
that the light of Christianity has spread over so small a 
portion of the world. But the spiritual man is able in some 
measure to account for these things. He is ready to believe 
that when a good man is unsuccessful, the cause may be 
that success would have injured his state and have retarded 
his regeneration ; and that when an evil man is success- 
ful, the cause may be that his state of mind would have 
been rendered worse by disappointment, that he might 
have otherwise closed his mind still more against the 
influences of Divine Providence. He believes, too, that 
the Lord governs those who have not the light of Christ- 
ianity, by as wise adaptation of truths to their state of 
mind, as in the case of those who live where its truths are 
acknowledged. 

A prevailing truth, which appears conspicuous through 
every page of the above work, is that of a particular 
providence. A general providence is, in a certain sense, 
acknowledged by almost all. But generals are derived 
from particulars, and are composed of them, as the whole is 
composed of parts. Whoever, therefore, disbelieves in, or 
denies, the parts, denies the whole which embraces them ; 
and whoever disbelieves in, or denies, a particular pro- 
vidence, denies a general providence also, although he 
may not be sensible of it. 

3. The Nature of the Intercourse between the Soul and 
the Body, which is supposed to take place either by Phys- 
ical Influx, or by Spiritual Influx, or by Preestablished 
Harmony. 12mo. pp. 120. (De Commercio Anims 
et Corporis, &c. Amsterdam, 1769.) 

In this work the author gives an account of the three 



56 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

systems of philosophy above alluded to, in the title of the 
book, and proves that spiritual influx is the true order of 
creation and of life. 

4. The Delights of Wisdom concerning Conjugial 
Love ; , after which follow the Pleasures of Insanity con- 
cerning Scortatory Love. 8vo. pp. 508. (Delitia Sa- 
pientia de Amore Conjugiali, &c. Amsterdam, 1768. 4to.) 

In this work are revealed the most important truths 
respecting the true nature of heavenly marriage. It is 
shown that there is a correspondence between the mar- 
riage of husband and wife, when regenerated, and the 
marriage of the Lord with the church ; that they are no 
farther spiritually married, than they are regenerated; 
that as death is only a continuation of life, therefore man 
forever remains male and female, as he was created from 
the beginning ; that true conjugial love can only exist 
between one husband and wife ; that it can only exist 
where there is an acknowledgment, in heart and life, of 
the Divinity of our Lord. 

It is stated that children born of parents united by the 
principle of conjugial love, come into the world with 
similar propensities to their parents, and that they are far 
less likely to be led astray in after life than children born 
of parents not principled in conjugial love. There is also 
a conjunction of conjugial love with the love of infants. 
'Two universal spheres proceed from the Lord to pre- 
serve the universe in its created state, of which one is a 
sphere of procreating, and the other a sphere of protect- 
ing the things procreated. Those two universal spheres 
make one with the sphere of conjugial love, and with the 
sphere of the love of infants.'* As the relationship be- 
tween husband and wife, conjugially united, is continued 
in the other life, it follows also that parents and children 
* No. 3S6, 387. 



LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 57 

have, in the other life, a relationship to each other, in 
some measure corresponding to the one which existed 
between them in the natural world. And we are inform- 
ed by Swedenborg that the men of the Most Ancient 
Church continue to live in the spiritual world, united 
together, houses by houses, families by families, and 
tribes by tribes, as they were on earth. 

CLASS III. 

1. Arcana Ccelestia; or Heavenly Mysteries contained 
in the Sacred Scriptures, or Word of the Lord, manifested 
and laid open : beginning with the Book of Genesis. In- 
terspersed with Relations of Wonderful Things seen in the 
World of Spirits and the Heaven of Angels. Twelve 
volumes, octavo. First published at London, in Latin, in 
eight volumes, from the year 1749 to 1758. A copious 
Index to the above was found among the author's manu- 
scripts, which has been published. 

The other works expository of the Sacred Scriptures, 
and included in the above class, are the following : 

2. The Apocalypse Revealed: wherein are disclosed 
the Arcana therein foretold, which have hitherto remained 
concealed. In 2 vols. 8vo. (Apocalypsis Revelata, &c. 
Amsterdam, 1764. 4to.) 

3. The Apocalypse Explained (Apocalypsis Explicata) 
according to the Spiritual Sense; wherein are revealed 
the Arcana which are predicted therein, and which have 
hitherto been concealed. To which is added, A Sum- 
mary Exposition of the Internal Sense of the Prophetical 
Books of the Old Testament, and of the Psalms of David, 
with a twofold Index. In 6 vols. 8vo. This is a posthu- 
mous work of our author, which, together with the Apoc- 
alypse Revealed, we shall notice presently. 

The Arcana Ccelestia treats of the internal sense, in a 
5* 



58 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

series, of the books of Genesis and Exodus ; in the course 
of which a great portion of of the remaining part of the 
Sacred Scriptures is more or less fully explained. 

The following books have an internal sense, and are 
properly called the Word : The five books of Moses, the 
book of Joshua, the book of Judges, the two books of 
Samuel, the two books of the Kings, the Psalms of 
David, the Prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, the Lamentations, 
Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, 
Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zecha- 
riah, Malachi; and in the New Testament, the four 
Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and the Apoc- 
alypse. 

There are four different styles in which the Word is 
written. The fi?°st is what was in use in the Most Ancient 
Church. Whenever the men of that church made men- 
tion of earthly things, they thought of the spiritual and 
celestial things to which they corresponded. They re- 
duced their thoughts into a kind of historical series or 
arrangement. Of this character are the chapters of 
Genesis down to the time of Abraham. The second 
style is the historical, occurring in the books of Moses 
from the time of Abraham until the times of Joshua, 
Judges, Samuel, and the Kings, in which books the his- 
torical facts are such as appear in the letter, but the 
relations contain an internal sense in a series. The 
third style is prophetical which took its rise from the 
style of the Most Ancient Church, that was held in high 
esteem : this style, however, is not connected, and in 
appearance historical, like that of the Most Ancient 
Church, but is broken and interrupted, being scarce ever 
intelligible but in its internal sense, wherein are con- 
tained the greatest arcana, which succeed each other in a 
beautiful and orderly connexion, having relation to the 



LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 59 

internal and external man, to the various states of the 
church, to heaven itself, and in their inmost sense to the 
Lord. The fourth style is that of the Psalms of David, 
which is between the prophetical style and that of common 
speech, in which, under the person of David as a king, 
the Lord is treated of in the internal sense. 

All those who have a desire for knowing the truth, and 
whose minds are not confirmed in false doctrines, are 
willing to acknowledge that the Word has an internal 
sense. They see that the doctrines, held by the various 
sects in Christendom, and which are essentially at vari- 
ance with each other, are all supported by arguments 
drawn from the literal sense of the Word. But all Divine 
Truths, and of course the truths of the Word, are neces- 
sarily in harmony with each other; and the man of 
reflection cannot but acknowledge, that, whenever ex- 
pressions occur in the letter of the Word, which are, in 
appearance, at variance with each other, that there is a 
light within capable of producing harmony without. 

But the Word of the Lord is different from any other 
book, and consequently it must be differently received. 
It proceeds from infinite love, and its endeavor is to 
penetrate all minds. It is received by all according to 
their different states of mind. { With the pure thou wilt 
show thyself pure ; and with the froward thou wilt show 
thyself froward.' 

A work written by a man necessarily proceeds from 
affections finite and limited ; the truths in which his 
affection or love are embodied are finite and limited. 
The writer has in view some end which he wishes to 
accomplish, and the truths which he expresses in words 
are as limited as the end and cause from which they 
proceed. The words written are but a mirror, in which 
are seen the affection and thoughts, the end and motives, 



60 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

of the writer. But the Infinite Mind, or the Supreme 
Good, in dictating the Word through the inspired writers, 
could have had nothing less in view, than the best possible 
good of the whole human race. An object short of this, 
and means employed of which any thing short of per- 
fection can be predicated, must imply, if the expression 
be allowable, something short of infinity in the Divine 
Being, and render improper the expression, ' Word of 
God,' as applied to the Sacred Scriptures. It is impossible 
for man to adapt truths to all men, or to all states of mind : 
it is equally impossible for the Divine to do less. It is 
on account of the adaptation of truths to all mankind that 
the Word of God is capable of being received in such a 
variety of different forms, and not because truths them- 
selves are at variance with each other. The sphere of 
the Divine Operation is not limited to a select few, who 
are thought to be, or who really are, better than others, 
but extends to all. ' If I ascend up into heaven, thou 
art there ; If I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art 
there.' When the spiritual sense of the Word is opened, 
the infinite mercy and love of God are seen in expressions 
which seem to imply in him anger and wrath, and the 
immutability of God is seen in those which seem to imply 
in him repentance and change of purpose. But to recur 
to the subject of the Arcana. 

In the history of the creation, in the first chapters of 
Genesis, is described the spiritual and real creation, or 
regeneration, of man. The six days of creation are so 
many distinct states in man's regeneration. 

Man was termed by the ancients a microcosm, or little 
world. The various principles of his mind, of his thoughts 
and affections, have their analogies or correspondences 
in the visible objects of creation. These natural objects 
being visible and tangible, when their correspondences 



LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 61 

are understood, may be used as an index to point out the 
exact state, condition, and progression of the world that 
is within man. All other language used to express the 
operations of the mind, must, in the nature of things, be 
comparatively feeble. 

The literal sense of the history of creation is not in the 
least invalidated by the new views contained in the 
spiritual sense, but is altogether strengthened and exalted 
by them. For if the spiritual part of man is really created 
and formed in the order expressed by the order of creation, 
and the visible things of this world correspond to the 
spiritual things in man, there is then a twofold reason for 
believing that the earth was, in the main, created in the 
order described in the first chapters of Genesis. 

Neither is the literal sense of the Word weakened by 
regarding Adam, not as a single man according to com- 
mon interpretation, but as the Most Ancient Church 
collectively. For every society, whether great or small, 
according to the testimony of Swedenborg, which dwells 
together in a state of true heavenly order, has the human 
form. The place which each individual occupies in a 
society corresponds to a given place in the human form. 
There is an adaptation in the character of each individ- 
ual to the various functions of the different members in 
the human body. A society in heaven appears at a dis- 
tance as a single individual. And the Church Adam 
will appear to one who is receptive of the spiritual sense 
of the Word, as an individual. It is to be noted that the 
word Adam in the Hebrew signifies man. 

But the advocates for a literal sense, to the exclusion 
of a spiritual sense, must meet with difficulties in explain- 
ing many historical parts of the Word, where the internal 
sense renders the meaning obvious. For instance, it is 
said that ' the sojourning of the children of Israel who 



62 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

dwelt in the land of Egypt, was four hundred and thirty 
years.' Ex. 12, 40. The fact is established that they 
were in Egypt but half that period. On this subject, 
Swedenborg, after having given the internal sense of the 
above passage, says : 

' It is said that the dwelling of the sons of Israel, by 
which they dwelt in Egypt, was thirty years and four 
hundred years; and further, that at the end of thirty 
years and four hundred years, in this same day, all the 
armies of Jehovah went forth from the land of Egypt, 
when yet the dwelling of the sons of Israel, from the 
going down of Jacob into Egypt to the departure of his 
posterity at this time, was not more than half that time, 
viz. two hundred and fifteen years, as is very manifest 
from the chronology of the Sacred Scriptures ; for Moses 
was born of Amram, Amram of Kehath, and Kehath of 
Levi, and Kehath together with his father Levi came 
into Egypt, Genesis xlvi. 11 ; the age of the life of Kehath 
was a hundred and thirty-three years, Exodus vi. 18, and 
the age of the life of Amram, from whom came Aaron 
and Moses, was a hundred and thirty-seven years, verse 
20 of the same chapter ; and Moses was a man of eighty 
years, when he stood before Pharaoh, Exodus vii. 7 ; it 
is not mentioned in what year of the age of Kehath 
Amram was born, nor in what year of the age of Amram 
Moses was born ; but that there were not four hundred 
and thirty years, may be manifest, for the years of their 
ages do not amount to four hundred and thirty, but three 
hundred and fifty, as is plain, if the years of the age of 
Kehath, a hundred and thirty-three, be added to the years 
of the age of Amram, a hundred and thirty-seven, and 
these to the eighty years of Moses when he stood before 
Pharaoh ; still less if the years from their nativities be 
added ; that they were two hundred and fifteen years 



LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 63 

may be seen from chronologists. But from the descent 
of Abraham into Egypt to the departure of the sons of 
Israel were four hundred and thirty years, see also 
chronology : hence now it may be manifest, that by four 
hundred and thirty years is here meant the entire period 
of time from Abraham, and not from Jacob : that these 
years were designed, and were called the years of the 
dwelling of the sons of Israel in Egypt, is on account of 
the internal sense, in which by them is signified a full 
state an$ duration of the vastation of those who were of 
the spiritual church, and were detained in the lower earth 
even to the Lord's coming, and were then liberated, see 
n. 6S54, 6914, 7035, 7091, 7828, 7932.' 

Many of the remarks already made relative to the 
Arcana apply equally to the Apocalypse Revealed and the 
Apocalypse Explained. The explanations in the Apoca- 
lypse Explained are only continued to the commencement 
of the nineteenth chapter. The remainder is taken from 
the Apocalypse Revealed. 

The latter work, which it has already been said was 
published in 1764, was doubtless written after the former. 
There were two manuscripts of the Apocalypse Explained, 
the one a first draft, the other in a finished state for the 
press. On the title page of the first volume of the finished 
copy there was inscribed by the author himself, London, 
1759. It therefore appears probable that he left the 
Apocalypse Explained from an apprehension that it was 
too voluminous to be immediately useful, and wrote and 
published in its stead the Apocalypse Revealed. 

The Revelations have remained for ages a sealed 
book. Various attempts have been made from time to 
time to search out its hidden meaning, but without 
success, until the internal sense was explained by Sweden- 
borg. It treats of the latter end or consummation of the 



64 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

Christian Church, and the establishment of a New 
Church, signified by the Holy City, the New Jerusalem. 

CLASS IV. 

1. A Treatise concerning Heaven and Hell, and of 
the wonderful things therein heard and seen. 8vo. pp. 
400. (De Coelo et Inferno, &c. London, 1758. 4to.) 

The following table of contents will give the reader 
a brief analysis of the work itself: 

Of Heaven. Introduction ; That the Lord is the God 
of Heaven ; That the Divine of the Lord makes Heaven ; 
That the Divine of the Lord in Heaven is Love to Him 
and Charity towards the Neighbor ; That Heaven is dis- 
tinguished into two Kingdoms; That there are Three 
Heavens ; That the Heavens consist of innumerable Soci- 
eties ; That every Society is a Heaven in a less Form, 
and every Angel a Heaven in the least Form ; That the 
Universal Heaven in One Complex resembles One Man ; 
That hence every Angel is in a perfect Human Form : 
That it results from the Divine Human of the Lord, that 
Heaven, in the Whole and in Part, resembles a Man ; 
That there is a Correspondence of all Things of Heaven, 
with all Things of Man ; That there is a Correspondence 
of Heaven, with all Things of the Earth ; Concerning the 
Sun in Heaven ; Concerning Light and Heat in Heaven ; 
Concerning the Four Quarters in Heaven ; Concerning 
the Changes of State of the Angels in Heaven ; Concern- 
ing Time in Heaven ; Concerning Representatives and 
Appearances in Heaven; Concerning the Garments with 
which the Angels appear Clothed ; Concerning the Hab- 
itations and Mansions of the Angels; Concerning Space 
in Heaven; Concerning the Form of Heaven, according 
to which Consociations and Communications have Place 
there ; Concerning Governments in Heaven ; Concerning 



LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 65 

Divine Worship in Heaven ; Concerning the Power of 
the Angels of Heaven ; Concerning the Speech of the 
Angels ; Concerning the Speech of Angels with Man : 
Concerning Writings in Heaven ; Concerning the Wis- 
dom of the Angels of Heaven ; Concerning the State of 
Innocence of the Angels in Heaven ; Concerning the 
State of Peace in Heaven ; Concerning the Conjunction 
of Heaven with the Human Race ; Concerning the Con- 
junction of Heaven with Man by the Word ; That Heaven 
and Hell are from the Human Race ; Concerning the 
Nations or People out of the Church, in Heaven ; Con- 
cerning Infants in Heaven ; Concerning the Wise and the 
Simple in Heaven ; Concerning the Rich and the Poor in 
Heaven ; Concerning Marriages in Heaven ; Concerning 
the Employments of the Angels in Heaven; Concerning 
Heavenly Joy and Happiness ; Concerning the Immen- 
sity of Heaven. 

Of the World of Spirits, and of the State of Man 
after Death. What the World of Spirits is ; That every 
Man is a Spirit as to his Interiors; Concerning the 
Resuscitation of Man from the Dead, and his Entrance 
into Life Eternal; That Man, after Death, is in per- 
fect Human Form; That Man, after Death, is in the 
Enjoyment of all Sense, Memory, Thought, and Affec- 
tion, in which he was in the World, and that he leaves 
nothing except his Terrestrial Body ; That Man, after 
Death, is of a quality agreeable to that of his former Life 
in the World ; That the Delights of the Life of every one 
after Death are turned into corresponding Ones; Con- 
cerning the First State of Man after Death ; Concerning 
the Second State of Man after Death ; Concerning the 
Third State of Man after Death, which is the state of 
Instruction of those who come into Heaven ; That no 
one comes into Heaven from immediate Mercy; That 
G 



66 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

it is not so difficult as it is supposed to live a Life which 
leads to Heaven. 

Of Hell That the Lord rules the Hells ; That the 
Lord casts no one down into Hell, but that the Spirit 
casts himself down ; That all who are in the Hells are in 
Evils and the Falses thence derived, originating in the 
Loves of Self and of the World ; What is meant by In- 
fernal Fire, and what by Gnashing of Teeth ; Concern- 
ing the Malice and wicked Arts of Infernal Spirits; 
Concerning the Appearance, Situation, and Plurality of 
the Hells ; Concerning the Equilibrium between Heaven 
and Hell ; That Man is in Freedom through the Equi- 
librium between Heaven and Hell. 

In" this work we learn that the spiritual world, in its 
external appearance, resembles the natural world ; that 
there are no objects in the natural world which have not 
their corresponding spiritual objects in the other world ; 
but that there are, however, more objects, and these more 
perfect, in the spiritual than in the natural world, — for 
perfection increases as we ascend from the lower to the 
higher orders of creation. The two worlds are however 
perfectly distinct, and have nothing in common with 
each other except by correspondence. Nothing of the 
natural world can enter into the spiritual, and nothing of 
the spiritual world can enter into the natural. The 
reason why spiritual beings are sometimes seen by those 
in the natural world, is, because the spiritual sight of 
those in the natural world, who enjoy these spiritual 
communications, is for the time open; in which case 
those in the spiritual world do not descend, but those in 
this world who enjoy these communications, ascend. 

Heaven, as explained in this work, does not consist in 
constantly performing acts of devotion, but its inhabit- 
ants are mainly employed in acts of uses to each other, 



LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 67 

for the kingdom of heaven is a kingdom of uses. Indeed 
the sole happiness of heaven, according to the testimony 
of our author, consists in a man's loving his neighbor out 
of himself, that is, without any view to himself. 

The unhappiness of the wicked does not consist in 
their being rejected, punished, and cast into hell by the 
Lord, for this is not the case; they separate themselves 
from the good, and form associations with evil spirits, 
because they take the greatest pleasure in their society; 
but their misery consists in hating and despising others, 
in having all their thoughts and affections centered in 
themselves — thus in living contrary to the order of 
heaven. The torments of hell do not consist, as gen- 
erally supposed, in remorse of conscience ; for conscience 
ceases to influence a man before he reaches the abodes 
of the wicked. Conscience is an heavenly attribute, and 
so long as the violation of its dictates by man causes in 
him any feelings of remorse, so long he lingers on the 
confines of heaven, but on its total extinction he sinks 
down to hell. The worm that never dies, is the lust of 
ruling over others, of possessing the property of others, 
of being honored and obeyed by others, of gratifying 
hatred, cruelty and revenge. 

There are but few men so good as to be prepared for 
immediate entrance into heaven at the termination of their 
natural life ; and few so decidedly bad as, at death, to sink 
immediately into hell. There is, therefore, a state of pre- 
paration after death both for the good and for the evil. 
This state is the world of spirits, or the intermediate state 
between heaven and hell. Those who are principled in 
goodness, but have some evil affections and false per- 
suasions remaining, cannot at once be deprived of them. 
They are permitted to retain them until they can give 
them up in freedom. And those who are principled in 



68 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

evil, but have aceustomed themselves to assume the 
appearance of having acted from good and honest inten- 
tions, are permitted to pursue the same course until they 
are willing to act consistently with the prevailing principle 
of their lives. 

In the separation of the evil from the good in the other 
life, the same operation of the Divine Providence is 
manifested as in the present world. The Lord assumes 
not one character here and another there ; that is, there 
is not one code of laws for this world, and another code 
for the spiritual world. The Lord is the same yesterday, 
to-day, and forever. The separation of the wicked from 
the good takes place in the spiritual world on the same 
principle as in the natural world. We here see a general 
tendency in the well-disposed to unite together, while at 
the same time the evil are no less disposed to form asso- 
ciation with others of like character with themselves. 

The author simply relates things ' heard and seen,' 
and explains them, but without any effort in language or 
style to induce others to believe. There is this peculiarity 
in all his writings — he leaves the reader in freedom to 
receive or reject the truth. He does not use the power 
inherent in all the truths of which he was the recipient, 
to work upon the imagination and feelings of the reader, 
but acts in all cases as a servant of Divine Truth, leav- 
ing the event to Him who trieth the heart and the reins 
of all mankind. At the close he has the following re- 
marks : 

' What has been said in this work concerning heaven, 
the world of spirits, and hell, will be obscure to those 
who are not in the delight of knowing spiritual truths, 
but clear to those who are in that delight, especially to 
those who are in the affection of truth for the sake of 
truth, that is, who love truth because it is truth: for 



LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 69 

whatsoever is loved enters with light into the idea of the 
mind, especially truth, when it is loved, because all 
truth is in light.' 

2. A Treatise concerning the Last Judgment, and the 
Destruction of Babylon ; showing that all the predictions 
contained in the Apocalypse are at this day fulfilled. 
Being a testimony of things heard and seen. (De Ulti- 
mo Judicio et Babylonia Destructa, &c. London, 1758.) 

3. A Continuation concerning the Last Judgment, and 
the Spiritual World. (Continuatio de Ultimo Judicio, 
&c. Amsterdam, 1763.) 

These two works are published in English, in one 
volume, 18mo. 

In the above works it is shown that the last judgment 
took place in the year 1757. The New Jerusalem Church 
takes its date from that period, succeeding the Christian 
Church, as the latter did the Jewish Church, at the first 
advent of our Lord. It is shown that the judgment took 
place in the world of spirits, that is, in the intermediate 
state between heaven and hell. All men are there pre- 
pared for heaven or hell, but some arrive at their final 
destination sooner than others. Those who are interiorly 
good remain in the world of spirits, as before stated, until 
they are willing to surrender all those affections and 
thoughts which are not consistent with the prevailing 
principles of their lives ; and those who are interiorly evil 
remain there until they are willing to give up all hypo- 
critical pretensions to honesty and morality, and manifest 
in their external conduct the real selfishness of their 
character. From the time of the first advent of our Lord 
to the year 1757, the world of spirits had been gradually 
accumulating a great number of human beings, both good 
and evil, who had many things in common, and were able 
to live together in the bonds of external friendship, such as 
6* 



70 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

is often seen to take place in this life, for a certain period, 
between a good and a bad man of similar tastes in exter- 
nal things. But the time had arrived for a general sepa- 
ration. The good could no longer endure the presence 
of the evil, and the evil could no longer deceive by assum- 
ing the appearance of goodness ; and the former were 
raised up to heaven, whilst the latter sunk into hell. 

Since the last judgment, agreeably to the testimony of 
Swedenborg, no one is allowed to remain in the world of 
spirits more than thirty years ; of course there will not 
hereafter be another general judgment. 



CHAPTER V. 



VARIOUS TESTIMONIES TO THE REALITY OF SWEDENBORG S 
INTERCOURSE WITH THE SPIRITUAL WORLD, AND OF 
HIS FORETELLING EVENTS. 

Very little importance is attached, by members of the 
New Church, to the external evidences of Swedenborg's 
intercourse with the spiritual world. Being satisfied, 
from the truths contained in his writings, of his almost 
constant presence in the spiritual world for the thirty last 
years of his life, no external evidence can add at all to 
their belief in its reality. But with those who are unac- 
quainted with his writings, these external evidences may 
in some cases be instrumental in producing a kind of 
belief favorable to their future progress towards the gen- 
uine truths of the New Church. It is, however, to be 
remarked that Swedenborg never attempted to convince 
any one of the truth of his doctrines, or the certainty of 
his intercourse with the spiritual world, by testimonies 
Mich as we are about to relate, although he had it in his 



LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 71 

power constantly and daily to do so ; but these testimo- 
nies were sought by others. He was ever ready to com- 
municate freely to those who were disposed from proper 
motives to inquire of him concerning their departed rela- 
tives and friends. 

We here introduce the relation which passed between 
Swedenborg and the Swedish Queen Louisa Ulrica, wife 
of King Adolphus Frederic, and sister of Frederic the 
Great of Prussia. In a work entitled ' Original Anecdotes 
of Frederic the Great, King of Prussia,' by M. Dieudonne 
Thiebault, Professor of Belles Lettres in the Royal Acad- 
emey of Berlin, there is the following anecdote : 

'I know not,' says M. Thiebault, 'on what occasion 
it was, that, conversing one day with the Queen on the 
subject of the celebrated visionary, Swedenborg, we (the 
members of the academy) expressed a desire, particularly 
M. Merian and myself, to know what opinion was enter- 
tained of him in Sweden. The Queen, after having 
alluded to some anecdotes relative to Swedenborg's inter- 
views with the spiritual world, replied, that though she 
was but little disposed to believe in such seeming mira- 
cles, she nevertheless had been willing to put the power 
of M. Swedenborg, with whom she was acquainted, to 
the proof;' 'that M. Swedenborg having come one 
evening to her court, she had taken him aside, and 
begged him to inform himself of her deceased brother, 
the Prince Royal of Prussia, what he said to her at the 
moment of her taking leave of him for the Court of Stock- 
holm. She added, that what she had said was of a nature 
to render it impossible that the Prince could have repeated 
it to any one, nor had it ever escaped her own lips.' 
At their subsequent interview, 'the Queen,' says M. 
Thiebault, ' said that Swedenborg addressed her as fol- 
lows : " You took, madam, your last leave of the Prince 



72 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

of Prussia, your late august brother, at Charlottenburg ; 
on such a day, and at such an hour of the afternoon ; as 
you were passing afterwards through the long gallery, in 
the castle of Charlottenburg, you met him again ; he then 
took you by the hand, and led you to such a window, 
where you could not be overheard, and then said to you 

these words ." 'The Queen, says M. Thiebault, 

' did not repeat the words, but she protested to us they 
were the very same her brother had pronounced, and 
that she retained the most perfect recollection of them. 
She added, that she nearly fainted at the shock she expe- 
rienced ; and she called on M. de Schwerin to answer 
for the truth of what she had said, who, in his laconic 
style, contented himself with saying, " All you have said, 
madam, is perfectly true — at least as far as I am con- 
cerned." M. Thiebault continues, * I ought to add, that 
though the Queen laid great stress on the truth of her 
recital, she professed herself at the same time incredulous 
to Swedenborg's supposed conferences with the dead.' 
" A thousand events," said she, " appear inexplicable and 
supernatural to us who know only the immediate conse- 
quences of them ; and men of quick parts, who are never 
so well pleased as when they exhibit something wonder- 
ful, take an advantage of this to gain an extraordinary 
reputation. M. Swedenborg was a man of learning, and 
some talent in this way; but I cannot imagine by what 
means he obtained the knowledge of what had been com- 
municated to no one. However, I have no faith in his 
having had a conference with my brother." ' M. Thie- 
bault states that the Queen, as well as her brother Fred- 
eric the Great, were professed atheists : this accounts for 
her incredulity, but seems, at the same time, to establish 
more fully the truth of Swedenborg's interview with her 
brother. 



LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 73 

In a work entitled ' Die Theory der Geister-Kunde,' 
by a Dr. Stilling, printed at Nuremberg in 1808, may be 
found the following well authenticated narrative, a little 
abridged : 

' About the year 1770, there was a merchant in Elber- 
feld, with whom I lived seven years in the most intimate 
friendship. He was much attached to mystical writings ; 
but was a man of good sense, and one who would not 
tell a wilful untruth for all the world. He travelled on 
business to Amsterdam, where, at that time, Swedenborg 
was. Having heard and read a great deal of this extra- 
ordinary man, he went to see him. He found a very 
venerable and friendly looking old gentleman, who re- 
ceived him politely : when the following dialogue took 
place.' After some preparatory remarks, the Merchant 
said, " I think you will not be displeased with a sincere 
friend of the truth, if he desires an irrefutable proof that 
you really have communication with the spiritual world." 
Swedenborg. " It would indeed be very wrong, if I were 
displeased: but I believe I have given already proofs 
enough, which cannot be refuted." 31. "Do you mean 
those respecting the Queen, the fire at Stockholm, and 
the mislaid receipt?" & "Yes, I do; and they are 
true." 31. " May I be so free as to ask for a proof of 
the same kind?" & "Why not? with all my heart." 
31. " I had a friend, a student of divinity, at Duysburg : 
a little before his decease we had an important conversa- 
tion together : now could you learn from him what was 
the subject of it?" S. "We will see: — come to me 
again in a day or two : I will see if I can find your 
friend." The merchant returned accordingly ; when 
Swedenborg met him with a smile, and said, " I have 
spoken with your friend : the subject of your discourse 
was, the final restoration of all things." Swedenborg 



74 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

then repeated to the merchant, word for word, what he 
and his deceased friend had maintained. ' My friend,' 
says Dr. Stilling, 'turned pale; for this proof was irre- 
sistible. Perfectly convinced, my friend left the extra- 
ordinary man, and travelled back again to Elberfeld.' 

Mr. Springer, the Swedish consul, resident at London, 
a gentleman of the utmost veracity, makes the following 
statement : 

' All that he (Swedenborg) has related to me respecting 
my deceased acquaintances, both friends and enemies, 
and the secrets that were between us, almost surpasses 
belief. He explained to me in what manner the peace 
was concluded between Sweden and the king of Prussia ; 
and he praised my conduct on that occasion : he even 
told me who were the three great personages of whom I 
made use in that affair; which, nevertheless, was an 
entire secret between them and me. I asked him how 
he could be informed of such particulars, and who had 
discovered them to him. He answered, " Who informed 
me of your affair with count Ekelblad ? You cannot deny 
the truth of what I have told you. Continue," he added, 
" to deserve his reproaches : turn not aside, either for 
riches or honors, from the path of rectitude, but, on the 
contrary, keep steadily in it, as you have done : and you 
will prosper." ; 

Mr. Noble, in his ' Appeal,' gives an anecdote which 
has never before been published ; ' which,' says Mr. 
Noble, ' I take from a memorandum of the late Mr. Provo, 
a medical gentleman of the most respectable character, 
as many now living, beside myself, can testify. Sweden- 
borg's Arcana Ccdestia was printed between the years 
1748 and 1756, at the office of Mr. Hart, in Popping's 
Court, Fleet Street ; to whom, from the acquaintance thus 
commenced, Swedenborg became considerably attached, 



LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 75 

insomuch that, when in London, he often went to spend 
the evening at his house. Mr. Hart, the son of the former, 
told Mr. Provo, about the year 1779, that he looked upon 
Svvedenborg as an extraordinary man, for the following 
reason : Mr. Hart, the father, died in London, while 
Swedenborg was abroad ; who, on his return, went to Mr. 
Hart's house. After being let in at the street-door, he 
was told that his old friend was dead : to which he in- 
stantly replied, " I know that very well ; for I saw him 
in the spiritual world while I was in Holland, at such a 
time [near the time of his death or soon after] ; also, 
whilst coming over in the packet to England. He is not 
now in heaven," he continued, " but is coming round, 
and in a good way to do well." This much surprised 
the widow and son ; for they knew that he was just come 
over ; and, as they assured Mr. Provo, that " he was of 
such a nature, that he could impose on no one ; that he 
always spoke the truth in every little matter, and would 
not have made any evasion, though his life had been at 
stake." ' 

The following statement of Swedenborg's foreknow- 
ledge of what was afterwards to take place, was made by 
Mr. Springer, alluded to above : ' Fifteen years ago 
(dating from 1782) -Swedenborg was leaving London for 
Sweden, and begged of me [as Swedish consul] to engage 
his passage with a good captain. I agreed with one 
named Dixon. When the captain came to fetch him on 
board, I took leave of him and wished him a good voyage : 
then turning to the captain, I asked if he had laid in a 
stock of good provisions ; to which he answered, that he 
had, as much as was necessary. On this Swedenborg 
interposed, and said, " My friend, we shall not have occa- 
sion for much ; for, by the help of God, on this day week, 
at two o'clock, we shall enter the harbor of Stockholm." 



76 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

Which assertion, captain Dixon informed me on his return, 
was exactly fulfilled.' 

Another instance of similar knowledge is related. by 
Mr. Robsam, a Director in the Bank of Stockholm : 

' I met him/ says Mr. R. ' in his carriage, as he- 
was setting off on his journey to London the last time 
but one. I asked him how he could venture on such 
a voyage at the age of eighty years. " Do you think," I 
added, u I shall see you any more ?" " Do not make 
yourself uneasy, my friend," he replied: " if you live we 
shall see one another again : for I have another of these 
journeys to make after the present." He returned accord- 
ingly. The last time of his leaving Sweden he came to 
see me the day he was setting off. I again asked him if 
we should see one another any more. He answered, with 
a tender and affecting air, " I do not know whether I 
shall return : but I am assured that I shall not die till I 
have finished the printing of my work entitled True 
Christian Religion, which is the object of my journey. 
But if we do not see each other any. more in this lower 
world, we shall meet in the presence of the Lord, if we 
have kept his commandments." ' He did, accordingly, 
finish the printing of his last work here mentioned, at 
Amsterdam, and he died at London not very long after- 
wards. 

It is generally known that Swedenborg foretold the 
day of his departure from the natural to the spiritual 
world. We shall presently introduce the affidavit of the 
persons with whom he boarded immediately previous to 
the termination of his natural life, in which it is declared 
that he told one of them on what day he should die a 
month before it happened. But we here introduce a doc- 
ument showing that Swedenborg also foretold the time of 
his death to the celebrated methodist minister, John Wes- 



LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 77 

ley. Mr. Wesley was, at one time, very much inclined 
to embrace the doctrines of the New Church ; and it is 
very remarkable that, after his understanding was con- 
vinced of Swedenborg's supernatural knowledge, he 
should appear in the ranks of his persecutors. Mr. Noble, 
in his Appeal, after giving an account of Wesley's favora- 
ble opinion, at one time, of Swedenborg's writings, and 
of his subsequently rejecting them and joining Mathesius 
(a Swedish clergyman in London,) in representing Swe- 
denborg as a madman, says: 

' But I am providentially enabled, by some documents 
which have recently come into my hands, to trace the 
progress of Mr. Wesley's mind in regard to Swedenborg, 
in such a manner, as completely to neutralize his authority 
in the unfavorable conclusion which he at last adopted : 
for, I am enabled to show, that, in that conclusion, Mr. 
Wesley stands in direct opposition to Mr. Wesley himself: 
and that his first judgment was formed upon far better 
evidence than his last. It appears certain, that Mr. 
Wesley was at one time inclined to receive Swedenborg's 
testimony in the fullest manner ; and this because lie had 
had indubitable experience of his supernatural knowledge. 

' Among Mr. Wesley's preachers, in the year 1772, was 
the late Mr. Smith, a man of great piety and integrity, 
who afterwards became one of the first ministers in our 
church. Having heard a curious anecdote, said to rest 
on his authority, I wrote to Mr. J. I. Hawkins, the well- 
known engineer, who had been intimately acquainted 
with Mr. Smith, to request an exact account of it. The 
following (a little abbreviated) is his answer : it is dated 
February 6th, 1826. 

" Dear Sir, — In answer to your inquiries, I am able to 
state, that I have a clear recollection of having repeatedly 
heard the Rev. Samuel Smith say, about the year 1787 
7 



78 



LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 



or 1788, that in the latter end of February, 1772, he with 
some other preachers, was in attendance upon the Rev. 
John Wesley, taking instructions and assisting him in 
the preparations for his great circuit, which Mr. Wesley ' 
was about to commence : that while thus in attendance, 
a letter came to Mr. Wesley, which he perused with evi- 
dent astonishment ; that, after a pause, he read the letter 
to the company, and that it was couched in nearly the 
following words : [the letter was most probably in Latin ; 
but Mr. Wesley, no doubt, would read it in English.] 

I Great Bath Street, Cold Bath Fields, Feb. — , 1772. 
Sir : I have been informed, in the world of spirits, that 
you have a strong desire to converse with me ; I shall be 
happy to see you if you will favor me with a visit. I am, 
sir, your humble servant, Eman. Swedenborg.' 

" Mr. Wesley frankly acknowledged to the company, 
that he had been very strongly impressed with a desire to 
see. and converse with Swedenborg, and that he had 
never mentioned that desire to any one. 

" Mr. Wesley wrote for answer, that he was then closely 
occupied in preparing for a six months' journey, but 
would do himself the pleasure of waiting upon Mr. Swe- 
denborg soon after his return to London. 

" Mr. Smith further informed me, that he afterwards 
learned from very good authority, that Swedenborg wrote 
in reply, that the visit proposed by Mr. Wesley would be 
too late, as he, Swedenborg, should go into the world of 
spirits on the 29th day of the next month, never more to 
return. 

" Mr. Wesley went the circuit, and on his return to 
London, [if not, as is most probable, before,] was inform- 
ed of the fact, that Swedenborg had departed this life on 
the 29th of March preceding. 

" This extraordinary correspondence induced Mr. Smith 



LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 79 

to examine the writings of Swedenborg ; and the result 
was, a firm conviction of the rationality and truth of the 
heavenly doctrines promulgated in those invaluable writ- 
ings, which doctrines he zealously labored to disseminate 
during the temainder of his natural life. 

" That Mr. Smith was a man of undoubted veracity, 
can be testified by several persons now living, besides 
myself; the fact, therefore, that such a correspondence 
did take place between the Hon. Emanuel Swedenborg 
and the Rev. John Wesley, is established upon the best 
authority. 

",On referring to Mr. Wesley's printed journal it may 
be seen, that he left London on the 1st of March, in the 
year 1772 ; reached Bristol on the 3d, Worcester on the 
14th, and Chester on the 29th, which was the day of 
Swedenborg' s final departure from this world. Mr. 
Wesley, in continuing his circuit, visited Liverpool, and 
various towns in the north of England, and in Scotland, 
returning through Northumberland and Durham to York- 
shire, and thence through Derbyshire, Staffordshire, and 
Shropshire, to Wales; thence to Bristol, Salisbury, Win- 
chester, and Portsmouth, to London, where he arrived on 
the 10th of October, in the same year, having been absent 
rather more than six months. 

" I feel it my duty to accede to your request and allow 
my name to appear as your immediate voucher. I re- 
main, dear sir, your's, very sincerely, J. I. Hawkins." 

' To this I can add, that the Rev. M. Sibley has assur- 
ed me that he has heard Mr. Smith relate the above 
anecdote ; and that he could mention, if necessary, several 
other persons still living who must have heard it too. He 
fully, also, supports Mr. Hawkins's statement in regard to 
Mr. Smith's veracity. Thus it is impossible to doubt that 
Mr. Smith affirmed it ; and it is difficult to suppose that 



80 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

he could either wilfully or unintentionally misrepresent 
an incident which must have impressed him so strongly, 
and of which the consequent change of his sentiments 
formed a collateral evidence.' 

It is difficult to view the power or gift of foreknowing 
events otherwise than miraculous. Yet in the case of 
Swedenborg that power seemed the natural consequence 
of the elevation of his mind into the spiritual world, and 
into the region of causes. The following extract con- 
cerning the last judgment, which took place in 1757, is 
found in Swedenborg's Diary under date of February 
13th, 1748. ' There has often been presented to me in 
vision 57, or 1757. The numbers were written ; but 
what is meant by them, I do not fully understand.' Other 
events were doubtless more readily revealed to him than 
the above concerning the last judgment ; for concerning 
that event it is written, i Of that day and hour knoweth no 
man, no not the angels which are in heaven, neither the 
Son, but the Father.' But the above document is a 
testimony of the tendency of his mind towards a recep- 
tion of a knowledge of things to come. 

The following letter of the celebrated Professor Kant, 
the German Philosopher, was lately brought forward by 
Dr. Tafel, of Germany, with other documents, to prove 
the intercourse of Swedenborg with the spiritual world. 
It is dated 10th August, 1758, and addressed to a lady 
of quality, Charlotte de Knoblock, afterwards widow of 
Lieutenant General de Klingspom. Kant highly es- 
teemed this lady, who was remarkable for her thirst after 
knowledge. It appears that she asked his opinion con- 
cerning Swedenborg and his writings. The letter is as 
follows : 

( I would not have deprived myself so long of the honor 
and pleasure of obeying the request of a lady, who is the 



LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 81 

ornament of her sex, in communicating the desired in- 
formation, if I had not deemed it necessary previously to 
inform myself thoroughly concerning the subject of your 
request. Permit me, gracious lady, to justify my pro- 
ceedings in this matter, inasmuch as it might appear 
that an erroneous opinion had induced me to credit the 
various relations concerning it without careful examina- 
tion. I am not aware that any body has ever perceived 
in me an inclination to the marvellous, or a weakness 
approaching to credulity. So much is certain, that not- 
withstanding all the narrations of apparitions, and visions 
concerning the spiritual world, of which a great number 
of the most probable are known to me, I have always 
considered it to be most in agreement with the rule of 
sound reason to incline to the negative side ; not as if I 
had imagined such a case to be impossible, although we 
know but very little concerning the nature of a spirit, but 
because the instances are not in general sufficiently 
proved. There arise, moreover, from the incomprehen- 
sibility and inutility of this sort of phenomena, too many 
difficulties; and there are, on the other hand, so many 
proofs of deception, that I have never considered it neces- 
sary to suffer fear or dread to come upon me, either in 
the cemeteries of the dead, or in the darkness of night. 
This is the position in which my mind stood for a long 
time, until the accounts of Swedenborg came to my 
notice. 

' These accounts I received from a Danish officer, who 
was formerly my friend, and attended my lectures ; and 
who, at the table of the Austrian ambassador, Dietrich- 
stein, at Copenhagen, together with several other guests, 
read a letter which the ambassador had lately received 
from Baron de Lutzow, the Mecklenburg ambassador at 
Stockholm ; in which he says, that he, in company with 
7* 



82 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

the Dutch ambassador, was present, at the Queen of 
Sweden's residence, at the extraordinary transaction 
respecting M. de Swedenborg, which your ladyship will 
undoubtedly have heard. The authenticity thus given 
to the account surprised me. For it can scarcely be be- 
lieved, that one ambassador should communicate a piece 
of information to another for public use, which related to 
the Queen of the court where he resided, and which he 
himself, together with a splendid company, had the op- 
portunity of witnessing, if it were not true. Now in order 
not to reject blindfold the prejudice against apparitions 
and visions by a new prejudice, I found it desirable to 
inform myself as to the particulars of this surprising 
transaction. I accordingly wrote to the officer I have 
mentioned at Copenhagen, and made various inquiries 
respecting it. He answered that he had again had an 
interview concerning it with the Count Dietrichstein ; 
that the affair had really taken place in the manner de- 
scribed; and that professor Schlegel, also, had declared 
to him, that it could by no means be doubted. He 
advised me, as he was then going to the army under 
general St. Germain, to write to Swedenborg himself, in 
order to ascertain the particular circumstances of the 
extraordinary case. I then wrote to this singular man, 
and the letter was delivered to him, at Stockholm, by an 
English merchant. I was informed that Swedenborg 
politely received the letter, and promised to answer it. 
But the answer was omitted. In the mean time I made 
the acquaintance of an English gentleman who spent 
the last summer at this place, whom, relying on the 
friendship we had formed, I commissioned, as he was 
going to Stockholm, to make particular inquiries respect- 
ing the miraculous gift which M. de Swedenborg is said 
to possess. In his first letter, he states, that the most 



LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 83 

respectable people in Stockholm declare, that the singular 
transaction alluded to had happened in the manner you 
have heard described. He had not then had an inter- 
view, with Swedenborg, but hoped soon to embrace the 
opportunity ; although he found it difficult to persuade 
himself that all could be true which the most reasonable 
persons of the city asserted, respecting his communica- 
tion with the spiritual world. But his succeeding letters 
were quite of a different purport. He had not only 
spoken with Swedenborg, but had also visited him at his 
house ; and he is now in the greatest astonishment 
respecting such a remarkable case. Swedenborg is a 
reasonable, polite, and open-hearted man : he also is a 
man of learning ; and my friend has promised to send 
me some of his writings in a short time. He told this 
gentleman, without reserve, that God had accorded to 
him the remarkable gift of communicating with departed 
souls at his pleasure. In proof of this he appealed to 
certain known facts. As he was reminded of my letter, 
he said that he was aware he had received it, and that 
he would already have answered it, had he not intended 
to make the whole of this singular affair public to the 
eyes of the world. He should proceed to London in the 
month of May this year, where he would publish a book, 
in which the answer to my letter, as to every point, might 
be met with. 

• In order, gracious lady, to give you two proofs, of 
which the present existing public is a witness, and the 
person who related them to me had the opportunity of 
investigating them at the very place where they occurred, 
I will narrate to you the two following occurrences. 

' Madame Harteville, the widow of a Dutch envoy at 
Stockholm, was, some time after the death of her hus- 
band, asked by Croon, the goldsmith, for the payment of 



84 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

a set of silver plate, which her husband had ordered to 
be made by him. The widow was indeed convinced 
that her deceased husband was too orderly and particular 
in his affairs, not to have settled and paid the account ; 
however, she could find no receipt to testify the payment. 
In her trouble, and as the value was considerable, she 
intreated M. de Swedenborg to pay her a visit. After 
some apologies, she besought him, if he possessed the gift 
of being able to speak with departed souls, as every body- 
said he did, to have the kindness to inquire of her de- 
parted husband, respecting the demand of payment for 
the set of silver plate. Swedenborg was very affable, and 
promised to serve her in this affair. Three days after- 
wards the same lady had company, when M. de Sweden- 
borg came, and told her, in his cool manner, that he had 
spoken with her husband. The debt had been paid 
seven months before his death, and the receipt had been 
put in a bureau which was in an upper apartment. The 
lady replied that this bureau had been cleared out, and 
that the receipt could not be found amongst any of the 
papers. Swedenborg returned, that her husband had 
told him, that if a drawer on the left side of the bureau 
was pulled out, a board would be observed, which must 
be pushed away, and then a secret drawer would be dis- 
covered, in which he used to keep his secret Dutch cor- 
respondence, and in which, also, he had placed the receipt. 
At this indication, the lady, accompanied by all her 
friends, went to the upper apartment. They opened the 
bureau, and proceeded according to Swedenborg's in- 
struction. They found the drawer of which the lady 
had not known, and in it the papers and receipt were 
met with, to the very great astonishment of all present. 
' But the following occurrence appears to me to have 
the greatest weight of proof, and to set the assertion 



LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 85 

respecting Swedenborg's extraordinary gift out of all 
possibility of doubt. In the year 1756, when M. de Swe- 
denborg, towards the end of September, on Saturday, at 
four o'clock, P. M., arrived at Gothenburg from England, 
Mr. William Castel invited him to his house, together 
with a party of fifteen persons. About six o'clock M. 
de Swedenborg went out, and after a short interval, re- 
turned to the company quite pale and alarmed. He said 
that a dangerous fire had just broken out in Stockholm, 
at the Sudermalm, (Gothenburg is about fifty miles* from 
Stockholm), and that it was spreading very fast. He 
was restless, and went out often. He said that the house 
of one of his friends, whom he named, was already in 
ashes, and that his own was in danger. At eight o'clock, 
after he had been out again, he joyfully exclaimed, " thank 
God ! the fire is extinguished, the third door from my 
house." This news occasioned great commotion through 
the whole city, and particularly amongst the company in 
which he was. It was announced to the governor the 
same evening. On the Sunday morning, Swedenborg 
was sent for by the governor, who questioned him con- 
cerning the disaster. Swedenborg described the fire 
precisely, how it had begun, in what manner it had 
ceased, and how long it had continued. On the same 
day the news was spread through the city, and as the 
governor had thought it worthy of attention, the con- 
sternation was considerably increased; because many 
were in trouble on account of their friends and property, 
which might have been involved in the disaster. On 
the Monday evening a messenger arrived at Gothenburg, 
who was despatched during the time of the fire. In the 
letters brought by him, the fire was described precisely 
in the manner stated by Swedenborg. On the Tuesday 
* German miles ; near three hundred English, 



86 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

morning the royal courier arrived at the governor's with 
the melancholy intelligence of the fire, of the loss which 
it had occasioned, and of the houses it had damaged and 
ruined, not in the least differing from that which Swe- 
denborg had given immediately after it had ceased, for 
the fire was extinguished at eight o'clock. 

' What can be brought forward against the authenticity 
of this occurrence ? My friend, who wrote this to me, has 
not only examined the circumstances of this extraordinary 
case at Stockholm, but also, about two months ago, at 
Gothenburg, where he is acquainted with the most respect- 
able houses, and where he could obtain the most authen- 
tic and complete information ; as the greatest part of the 
inhabitants, who are still alive, were witnesses to the 
memorable occurrence. I am, with profound rever- 
ence, &c. Emanuel Kant. 

' Kcenigsberg, Aug. 10, 1758.' 

The editors of the Intellectual Repository, who have 
copied the above letter in that work, make the following 
remarks : 

' Swedenborg's omitting to answer, by letter, Professor 
Kant's inquiries of him relating to the above affair, may 
appear extraordinary. But it is to be observed, that he 
never, himself, laid any stress upon these miraculous 
proofs of the truth of his pretensions. If asked respecting 
them by those who had heard them from others, he would 
say that the reports were true ; but he abstained from 
writing any accounts of them ; and never does he appeal 
to them, or so much as mention them, in his works. 
How strong an evidence is this of his elevation of mind ; 
and of his perfect conviction of the truth of the views he 
was made the instrument of unfolding, with his own divine 
appointment to that purpose, as standing in need of no 
such evidence for their support ! Could it be possible for 



LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 87 

any of the merely fanatical pretenders to divine commu- 
nications to appeal to such testimonies of supernatural 
endowment, how continually would they do so, — how 
eagerly would they seek to silence objectors by referring 
to the queens, counts, ambassadors, governors, and uni- 
versity professors, that had been witnesses of their power ! 
But it is precisely on account of the silencing nature of 
such evidence, that Swedenborg declines to make use of 
it. It is a principle in his theology, that nothing which 
externally compels assent can impart an internal recep- 
tion of genuine truth, which is the only kind of reception 
that can do the subject of it any real good : it is to the 
praise, then, of his consistency, that he never adverts to 
the external demonstrations, which, under peculiar cir- 
cumstances, he had occasionally been induced to give, of 
the reality of his communications with the spiritual world. 
Yet, this once established, the reality of his divine com- 
mission is established also. To be able to have inter- 
course at pleasure with the inhabitants of the eternal 
world, and with any who have hence departed thither, is 
obviously an endowment unattainable by any natural 
means. It can, then, only be enjoyed by the special gift 
of the Lord. But the Lord, we may be certain, would 
not remove the barrier, which, for various important rea- 
sons, is established between the other world and this, for 
any merely trivial and natural purpose. He can only, 
then, have done it in the case of Swedenborg, because, 
without it, he could not have been qualified to explain 
the correspondence between spiritual things and natural, 
which was necessary to the developement of the spiritual 
sense of the Word ; nor to restore the lost knowledge 
respecting the nature of the life after death, of heaven 
and hell ; both which discoveries were indispensable to 
the opening of the New Jerusalem dispensation. When, 



88 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

therefore, Swedenborg gave proof that he enjoyed the 
power of free communication with the spiritual world, 
he gave proof, at the same time, that he had truly received 
as he affirmed, a divine commission to promulgate the 
truths of this dispensation. Yet he forbore to appeal to 
this overwhelming testimony ; because he knew that they 
whose minds were so closed as to be incapable of believing 
the truth through its own inherent light, could not be 
made to believe it interiorly, and thus permanently, by 
merely external demonstrations. Doubtless, however, it 
was of Divine Providence that occasions arose which con- 
strained him to give such demonstrations, and that they 
were recorded by others : because such things serve for 
confirmation of the truth, though they are not the proper 
grounds of its original reception. When presented also 
upon testimony, and at a distance of time, they lose that 
compulsive character which they possess when they take 
place immediately, or nearly so, before our eyes : and 
thus they may then become useful to draw attention to 
the truth, which, when known, may convince by its own 
evidence.' 



CHAPTER VI. 

SWEDENBORG'S FRIENDS MISCELLANEOUS ACCOUNTS 

CONCERNING HIM — ' CLOSE OF HIS NATURAL LIFE 

EULOGY BY SANDEL. 

There were many distinguished men who became the 
intimate friends of Swedenborg, after his spiritual sight 
was opened, in 1743-4. Among these was Dr. Gabriel 
Andrew Beyer, Professor of Greek Literature, and member 



LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 89 

of the Consistory at Gottenburg. He is the author of an 
Index to Swedenborg's works. 

Dr. Beyer first became acquainted with Swedenborg in 
1766. In the course of that year Swedenborg went to 
Gottenburg to take passage in a vessel that was to sail in 
a few days for London. During his stay at Gottenburg, 
Dr. Beyer accidentally fell into his company. Being 
interested by Swedenborg's conversation he invited him 
to dine with him on the following day, in company with 
Dr. Rosen (a learned clergyman who afterwards em- 
braced the doctrines of the New Church). After dinner 
Dr. Beyer requested Swedenborg to give a fall account 
of his doctrines. To this request he readily complied, 
and gave a clear and luminous account of the heavenly 
doctrines of the New Church. He was listened to very 
attentively, and suffered to proceed without interruption 
to the conclusion of his discourse ; when he had finished, 
Dr. Beyer requested him to meet him on the following day, 
and to bring with him a paper containing the substance 
of his discourse, in order that he might consider it more 
attentively. On the following day, Swedenborg came 
according to his promise, when, taking the paper from 
his pocket, he trembled and appeared much agitated ; 
and, handing the paper to Dr. Beyer, in the presence of 
Dr. Rosen, he said, c Sir, from this clay the Lord has 
introduced you into the society of angels, and you art 
now surrounded by them? They were, as might be ex- 
pected, much affected by an occasion so extraordinary. 
Swedenborg then took his leave, and on the following 
day embarked for England. 

Dr. Beyer immediately procured the writings of Swe- 
denborg, and became a full receiver of the doctrines. He 
suffered some persecution from the clergy on account of 
his sentiments. On this subject we find a letter addressed 
8 



90 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG, 

to him from Swedenborg, saying, 'I wonder that your 
suit and controversy still continue at Gottenburg, against 
which I will urge a complaint at the next Diet, when I 
shall transmit the Universal Theology of the New Heaven 
and the New Church, which will appear in print at 
the end of June. I will send two copies to each mem- 
ber of the Diet, and request that they may appoint from 
all the respective orders, an assembly of deputies to give 
their final decision.' This letter was written from Am- 
sterdam, April 20th, 1771. In 1770, Dr. Beyer drew up 
a public confession of his belief in the doctrine of the 
New Church, and sent it to the king, agreeably to the 
command of his royal highness. It is an able vindication 
of the doctrines. We will introduce the concluding part, 
not as containing any thing very remarkable, but merely 
to show the style in which he wrote : 

' In obedience to your majesty's most gracious com- 
mand, that I should deliver a full and positive declaration 
respecting the writings of Swedenborg, I do acknowledge 
it to be my duty to declare, in all humble confidence, 
that as far as I have proceeded in their study, and agree- 
ably to the gift granted to me for investigation and judg- 
ment, I have found in them nothing but what closely 
coincides with the words of the Lord himself, and that 
they shine with a light truly divine. A man as naturally 
timorous and diffident as I am, could scarcely have ven- 
tured to avow these sentiments, had not the Lord, for the 
honor of his cause, granted me that freedom, and in his 
mercy drawn forth from me this avowal, by holding out 
to me protection against heavy persecutions, under a 
singularly gracious and righteous government. The 
consolation I feel, under these circumstances, is grounded 
on the sure confidence, that as many of your majesty's 
faithful subjects as are duly conversant with these writ- 



LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 91 

ings, and shall come to be graciously examined upon 
their nature and tendency, will give report upon them, 
which will be found to agree and harmonize perfectly 
with this, my humble declaration.' 

Dr. Beyer was employed thirteen years in completing 
the Index to Swedenborg's works. He sent it, sheet by 
sheet, to Amsterdam to be printed ; and on the day he 
sent off the last sheet corrected, he became sick, and died 
a few days after. 

The name of Count Hopken, Prime Minister of Swe- 
den, and an intimate friend of Swedenborg, has been 
introduced in the preceding pages. Some further account 
of this man may be seen in the Appendix, No. V. 

The Rev. Thomas Hartley, Rector of Winwick, in 
Northamptonshire, in England, was on terms of intimacy 
with Swedenborg during the latter part of his life. Swe- 
denborg's letter to Dr. Hartley has already been alluded 
to. In relation to said letter Dr. Hartley makes the 
following remarks : 

1 As the credibility of Swedenborg's extraordinary dis- 
pensation, in respect to his commerce with the invisible 
world, would receive additions from his private good 
character, I was accordingly led to call upon him by 
letter to publish some particulars of himself, for the satis- 
faction of the public ; which he answered, giving me 
some account of himself and family ; and the accuracy 
of his relation was confirmed to me by some that well 
knew him in his own country, and of the honors with 
which he was dignified there as a member of the Diet of 
the equestrian order of nobles, and of the high esteem in 
which he was held by the royal family in Sweden, as 
also by the most pious and excellent men of that king- 
dom. 

( Swedenborg was a man of uncommon humility, and 



92 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

so far from affecting to be the head of a sect, that his 
voluminous writings in divinity continued almost to the 
end of his life to be anonymous publications ; and I have 
some reason to think that it was owing to my remon- 
strance to him on this subject, that he was induced to 
prefix his name to his last work. 

' I saw him in the beginning of his last sickness, and 
asked him if he was comforted with the society of angels 
as before, and he answered that he was : I returned 
home, about a day's journey from London, and heard 
soon after that he was near his departure, and expressed 
his desire to see me ; but some hindrances to the visit 
happening at that time, I did not embrace the opportu- 
nity as I should have done, for those hindrances might 
have been surmounted. My neglect on this occasion 
appears to me without excuse, and lies very heavy on my 
mind to this day.' 

Dr. Hartley translated into English Swedenborg's 
treatise 'On the Nature of Influx,' and prefixed a Jong 
preface to the work. He also addressed a long letter to 
the translator of the ' True Christian Religion,' which 
letter was introduced into the preface to that work. Both 
the letter and the preface to the treatise on Influx will be 
found very interesting and useful. He is also the author 
of the preface to the first edition, in English, of 'the 
treatise on Heaven and Hell,' which has been justly ad- 
mired. He was assisted in the translation of the latter 
work by Mr. William Cookworthy. 

This leads us to notice, from a memoir of Mr. Cook- 
worthy, a paragraph relative to Dr. Hartley, and Sweden- 
borg. Mr. Cookworthy was a native of Plymouth ; he 
was originally a member of a Society of Friends, rose 
from an obscure condition in life, and became a respect- 
able and esteemed minister of the gospel. He was a man 



LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 9o 

of good affections and much beloved. In this memoir it 
is said : 

1 Dr. Hartley was a man of the same affectionate dis- 
position, and the same enlarged views of religion ; yet 
from a nervousness of constitution, more inclined to 
shrink from society and discussion. They corresponded 
for some time before they were personally acquainted, 
until the repeated interchange of sentiment had produced 
such a union of soul, that when they met for the first 
time, they flew into each other's arms, as if they had 
been old acquaintance. Shortly before Swedenborg's 
death, they both visited him at his lodgings in Clerken- 
well. The interview must have been interesting, but 
the particulars of it are not recorded, except that it was 
impossible to avoid noticing the remarkable innocence 
and simplicity of Swedenborg, and how, on inviting him 
to dine with them, he politely excused himself, adding, 
that his dinner was already prepared, which proved to be 
a simple meal of bread and milk.' 

Dr. Messiter, an eminent physician in London, was 
an intimate friend of Swedenborg's. In 1769 he pre- 
sented, by desire of Swedenborg, some of his works to 
the Professors of Divinity at Edinburgh, Glasgow, and 
Aberdeen, for the universities at those places. His 
letters to the professors, and their replies, which are very 
interesting, may be seen in the Intellectual Repository, 
vol. iii. p. 449, &c. In his letter to Dr. Hamilton, at 
Edinburgh, Dr. Messiter says, ' there are no parts of 
mathematical, philosophical, or medical knowledge, nay, 
I believe I might justly say, of human literature, to which 
he (Swedenborg) is in the least a stranger; yet so totally 
insensible is he of his own merit, that I am confident he 
does not know that he has any ; and, as himself some- 
where says of the angels, he always turns his head away 



94 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

on the slightest encomium/ Dr. Hamilton, in his answer, 
says, ' I have seen enough to convince me that the hon- 
orable author is a very learned and pious man, qualities 
that shall ever command my respect.' The other pro- 
fessors also spoke of Swedenborg with much respect. 

Another personal acquaintance of Swedenborg was a 
General Christian Tuxen, of Elseneur, in Denmark. 
The following extract of a letter of Gen. Tuxen will be 
found interesting. 

' As I lived at Elseneur, I also heard several other 
things concerning him ; that he often passed the Sound 
in his travels to and from Amsterdam and London ; and 
in what manner he had answered his landlord who kept 
the sign of Charles the Twelfth, who, on asking him how 
that king fared in the other world, he replied that he 
retained the same sentiments and conduct in the world of 
spirits as he did in this world. As also the following 
anecdote, which I had from a very respectable friend, 
who was a witness of it, viz. That himself, together 
with the other officers of the custom-house at Oresound 
had been invited by the Swedish consul, Mr. Kryger, 
to dine in the company of Swedenborg, whom many of 
the first people in town (also particularly invited) wished 
to see and know. Being all seated at table, and none of 
them taking the liberty of addressing Swedenborg, 
who was likewise silent, the Swedish consul thought 
it incumbent on him to break silence, for which purpose 
he took occasion, from the death of the Danish king, 
Christian VI., which happened the preceding year, to 
inquire of Swedenborg, as he could see and speak with 
the dead, whether he had also seen Christian VI. after 
his decease. To this Swedenborg replied in the affirm- 
ative, adding, that when he saw him the first time, he 
was accompanied by a bishop, or some other prelate, who 



LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 95 

humbly begged the king's pardon for the many errors 
into which he had led him by his counsels. A son of the 
said deceased prelate happened to be present at the table. 
The consul, Mr. Kryger, therefore fearing that Sweden- 
borg might say something further to the disadvantage of 
the father, interrupted him, saying, Sir, this is his son ! 
Swedenborg replied, it may be, but what I am saying is 
true. This and other relations induced me a few years 
afterwards to solicit the Swedish consul Mr. Rabling, to 
acquaint me the next time Swedenborg came to Elseneur ; 
he soon after informed me by means of his nephew, Mr. 
Beyer, that Swedenborg was then at his house at dinner, 
together with the captain who brought him over, and de- 
sired I would make great haste as the wind proved favor- 
able, and they were on the point of embarking. I made all 
possible haste, and on entering the house, I addressed 
the assessor as being an intimate friend of the consul's, 
and came on purpose to have the honor of the acquaint- 
ance of so celebrated and learned a man as himself; and 
I requested his permission to ask him a few questions. 
To this he civilly and mildly answered : Ask what you 
please, I shall answer all in truth. My first question 
was, whether the relation, reported as having passed 
between himself and the queen at Stockholm, was true 1 
He answered, tell me in what manner you have heard it 
related, and I will tell you what part of it is true or 
otherwise. I replied, that as I saw he was on the point 
of going on board the vessel, I supposed there was no 
time to loose, and therefore desired he would have the 
kindness to relate the affair to me. He consented, and 
told it to me in the same manner as I had been informed 
of it before by means of letters from people of credit ; 
adding however the following circumstances : That the 
senator count Scheffer, came one day to see him, and 



9/6 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

asked him whether he would accompany him to court 
the next day, Swedenborg inquired why he proposed it, 
as he very well knew he occupied himself with other 
concerns than going to court. Count Scheffer replied, 
that the queen a few days before, had received a letter 
from her sister the duchess of Brunswick, in which she 
mentioned a censure or criticism she had read in the 
Gazette of Gottingen, on a man at Stockholm, who pre- 
tended to speak with the dead ; and she wondered much 
that the queen, in her letters to her, never had mentioned 
a word on that subject. The queen then inquired of 
those present, whether it was true that there was such a 
man, and whether he was not insane ? To this count 
Scheffer answered, that he was far from insane, but a 
sensible and learned man. Upon this, the queen ex- 
pressed her wishes of seeing him : when count Scheffer 
said that he was intimately acquainted with him, and 
would propose it to him. The count accordingly made 
Swedenborg promise to accompany him to court, which 
he did. The king and queen being arrived, entered first 
into conversation with the foreign ambassadors and other 
principal characters at court, and then approached count 
Scheffer, who presented Swedenborg. The queen ex- 
pressed her satisfaction at seeing him, and asked him 
whether it was true, that he could converse with the 
deceased ; he answered yes. She inquired further, 
whether it was a science that could be communicated to 
and by others ? No. What is it then ? A gift of God or 
the Lord. Can you then speak with every one deceased, 
or only with certain persons ? He answered, I can 
converse with all, whom I have known in this world ; 
also with all royal and princely persons, with all re- 
nowned heroes, or great and learned men, whom I have 
known, either personally, or from their actions or writings : 



LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 97 

consequently, with all, of whom I could form an idea ; 
for it may be supposed that a person whom I never knew, 
nor of whom I could form any idea, I neither could nor 
would wish to speak with. The queen then asked him, 
whether he would undertake a commission to her lately 
deceased brother. He answered, with all my heart. On 
this he followed the queen with the king and count 
Scheffer to a window in the apartment, where the queen 
gave him his commission, to which he promised to bring 
her an answer. After this he was invited to the royal 
table, here they put a thousand questions to him, which 
he answered truly. Some time after, count Scheffer paid 
him another visit, and asked him whether he had a mind 
of going to court again, to which he consented. The 
queen on seeing him, said, do not forget my commission. 
He answered, it is already done. And when he delivered 
her his message, she was extremely surprised, and became 
suddenly indisposed, and after some recollection she said, 
This no mortal could have told me. On my inquiring 
whether any person had heard what the queen said when 
she gave him the commission, he answered, I do not 
know ; yet she did not speak so low but that the king 
and count Scheffer, if they had attended to it, might have 
heard it. This may be depended upon, as the late 
venerable man himself related it to me. 

' In the further course of conversation with him on this 
system of religion, I took an opportunity of asking him, 
How a man who was confident that he was serious in his 
duty towards God and his neighbor, could be certain, 
whether he was in the right road to salvation or not % 
I was answered, that this was very easy ; and that such 
a man need only examine himself and his own thoughts 
according to the ten commandments ; as for instance, 
whether he loves and fears God ; whether he is happy at 



98 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

the welfare of others, and does not envy them ; whether 
on having received a great injury from others which may 
have excited him to anger and to meditate revenge, he 
afterwards changes his sentiments, because God has said 
that vengeance belongs to him, and so on ; then he may 
rest assured, that he is on the road to heaven. But when 
he discovers himself to be actuated by contrary senti- 
ments, on the road to hell. This led me to think of 
myself as well as of others; and I also asked him, whether 
he had seen the lately deceased king Frederick V., adding, 
that although some human frailty or other might be 
attributed to him, yet I had certain hopes that he was 
happy. His answer was yes, I have seen him, and I 
know that he is not only very well off, but all the kings 
of the house of Oldenborg, who are all associated together. 
This is not the happy case with our Swedish kings, some 
of whom are not so well off. This he said in the presence 
of the consul, and the Swedish captain with whom he 
sailed. He added further : In the world of spirits I have 
not seen any one so splendidly served and waited on, as 
the deceased empress Elizabeth of Russia ; as I expressed 
much astonishment at this, he continued saying, I could 
also tell you the reason of it, which few would surmise, 
viz. That with all her faults she had a good heart, and 
a certain consideration connected with her neglect or 
indifference ; which induced her purposely to postpone 
signing many edicts and papers that were from time to 
time presented to her, and for that reason they multiplied 
to such a degree, that at last she could not examine or 
peruse them, but was obliged to believe the representations 
of the ministers^ and sign as many as possible ; after 
which she would retire into her closet, fall on her knees, 
and beg forgiveness of God if she had, against her will, 
signed any thing that was wrong. When this conversation 



LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 99 

was ended, Swedenborg in a friendly and civil manner 
took leave. 

' Some time afterwards, Swedenborg for the last time 
being on his passage for Amsterdam and London, I was 
informed that on account of a contrary wind he had been 
detained four days on board a Swedish ship, anchored a 
few miles from Elseneur. I therefore took a boat and 
went off to see him ; on my inquiring whether Assessor 
Swedenborg was on board, the captain answered in the 
affirmative, bid me welcome, and opened the cabin door, 
which as soon as I entered, he shut after me. I found 
the Assessor seated in an undress, his elbows on the table, 
his hands supporting his face, which was turned towards 
the door, his eyes open, and much elevated. I was so 
imprudent as immediately to address him, expressing my 
happiness at seeing and speaking with him. At this he 
recovered himself (for he had really been in a trance, 
as his posture evinced,) he rose with some confusion, 
advanced a few steps from the table in a singular and 
visible uncertainty, expressed by his countenance and 
hands, from which, however, he soon recovered, bid me 
welcome, and asked me from whence I came. I answered 
that as I had heard he was on board a Swedish ship, 
lying below the Koll, I was come with an invitation from 
my wife and self to request him to favor us with his 
company at our house ; to which he immediately con- 
sented, pulled off his gown and slippers, put on clean 
linen, and drest himself as briskly and alertly as a young 
man of one-and-twenty. He told the captain where he 
was to be found when the wind should prove favorable, 
and accompanied me to Elseneur. Here my wife, who 
was then indisposed, waited to welcome him, and to 
request his excuse if in any respect our house should fall 
short of our wishes to entertain him, adding, that she had 



100 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

for these thirty years past, been afflicted with a violent 
hysterical disease which occasioned her much pain and 
uneasiness. He very politely kissed her hand, and 
answered, Oh dear ! of this we will not speak, only 
acquiesce in the will of God, it will pass away, and you 
will arrive at the same health and beauty as when you 
were fifteen years of age. I do not recollect what she 
or I answered to this ; but I remarked that in answer to 
us he replied, yes, in a few weeks ; from which I con- 
cluded, that diseases, which have their foundation in the 
mind, and are supported by the infirmities and pains of 
the body, do not leave man immediately on the separation 
of the body. We then conversed on the various kinds 
of pains she had suffered ; afterwards he said, among 
other things, that for twelve years past he had been afflicted 
with a very weak stomach, and during that time had 
scarcely taken any other food than coffee and biscuits. 

' I do not recollect on what occasion he told me, that the 
king had issued a circular letter to all the constitutions 
in Sweden, to send the subject of their complaint against 
his writings and explanations in religion, and that the 
king, the last time he spoke with him on that head, 
familiarly laid his hand on his shoulder and said, they will 
not make any reply to me although I have demanded 
their explicit answers. Neither do I distinctly recollect on 
what occasion we were conversing on certain passages 
in his writings, when I produced some of them, and in 
searching we found the letter which he had written to a 
learned friend in England, (the late Dr. Hartley,) which 
begins I think with these words : 

" I was born at Stockholm 1689." 'Here he told me he 
was not born in that year, as mentioned, but in the pre- 
ceding. And on my asking him whether this was a 
fault in the printing, he answered, no; but the reason 



LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 101 

was this, says he, you may remember in reading my writ- 
ings, to have seen it mentioned in many places, that 
every cypher or number in the spiritual sense has a cer- 
tain correspondence or signification annexed : and added, 
that when he had first put the true year in that letter, an 
angel present told him that he should write the year now 
printed, as much more suitable to himself than the other, 
and you know, said the angel, that with us time or space 
are nothing ; for this reason it was, continued he, that I 
wrote it. On my observing here, that it was impossible for 
me to remove time and space from my thoughts in reading 
his writings, he answered, that I easily believe ; it also 
took me some time before I could do it ; but I will show 
and teach you in what manner it may be done. On this 
he entered upon a very ample and rational explanation, 
but was interrupted by a person coming from the Swedish 
merchant to invite him to dinner ; as we went out, I had 
no opportunity of conversing with him till he returned 
from his visit. 

' I took the liberty of saying to him, that since in his 
writings, he always declared, that at all times there were 
good and evil spirits of the other world present with every 
man ; may I then make bold to ask, whether, while my 
wife and daughter were singing, there had been any from 
the other world present with us ? To this he answered, 
yes, certainly ; and on my inquiring who they were, and 
whether I had known them, he said, that it was the 
Danish royal family, and he mentioned Christian VI., 
Sophia Magdalena, and Frederick V., who through his 
eyes and ears had seen and heard it. I do not positively 
recollect whether he also mentioned the late beloved 
Queen Louisa among them. After this he retired, and 
while preparing for rest, I took occasion, when we were 
alone, of asking him whether there were any in Sweden 
9 



102 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

who approved and relished his system of theology, and 
whether he could mention any to me. To which he 
answered yes, but few, and he would willingly mention 
them to me, but that probably I did not know them. I 
replied, it might happen I knew some one or other. He 
then named a few bishops, and some of the senators ; 
among others he mentioned the celebrated minister and 
senator Count Andrew Hopken, of whom he spoke 
favorably.' 

The only particulars relative to the close of Sweden- 
borg's natural life, on which we can rely, are to be found 
in an affidavit, made by Mr. and Mrs. Shearsmith, with 
whom Swedenborg boarded at the time of his death. It 
is as follows : 

'Affidavit taken before the Right Hon. Thomas Wright, 
then Lord Mayor of the city of London, on the 24th 
November, 1785, viz. That towards Christmas, 1771, 
Mr. Swedenborg had a stroke of the palsy, which deprived 
him of his speech, which he soon recovered, but yet 
remained very weak and infirm. That towards the end 
of February, 1772, he declared to Elizabeth Shearsmith 
(then Reynolds) and to Richard Shearsmith's first wife 
(then living) that he should die on such a day ; and that 
the said Elizabeth Shearsmith thinks she can safely affirm 
on her oath he departed this life exactly on the very day 
he had foretold, that is, one month after his prediction. 
That about a fortnight before his death he received the 
Lord's Supper from the hands of Mr. Ferelius, a Swedish 
minister, to whom he earnestly recommended to abide in 
the truth contained in his writings. That a little while 
before Mr. Swedenborg' s decease he was deprived of his 
spiritual sight, on which account being brought into very 
great tribulation, he vehemently cried out, O my God ! 
hast thou then wholly forsaken thy servant at last? But 



LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 103 

a few days after he recovered again his spiritual sight, 
which circumstance appeared to make him completely 
happy ; that this was the last of his trials. That during 
his latter days, even as on the former, he retained all his 
good sense and memory in the most complete manner. 
That on the Lord's day, 29th of March, hearing the clock 
strike, Mr. Swedenborg asked his landlady and her maid, 
who were then both sitting by his bedside, what it was 
o'clock, and on being answered it was 5 o'clock, he re- 
plied, it is well, I thank you, God bless you both, and 
then a little moment after he gently gave up the ghost. 
Moreover, that on the day before and on that of his 
departure, Mr. Swedenborg received no visits of any 
friend whatever, and these deponents never heard him 
either then or before utter any thing that had the least 
appearance of, or relation to, a recantation. 

Richard Shearsmith, 
Elizabeth Shearsmith. 

< Sworn 24th Nov. 1785, before me, Thomas Wright, 
Mayor.' 

Dr. Hartley, in his last visit to Swedenborg, in com- 
pany with Dr. Messiter, asked him to declare whether 
all he had written was strictly true, or whether any part 
or parts thereof were to be excepted? 'I have written, 5 
aswered Swedenborg with a degree of warmth, ' nothing 
but the truth, as you will have it more and more confirmed 
hereafter all the days of your life, provided you always 
keep close to the Lord, and faithfully serve him alone, 
in shuning evils of all kinds as sins against him, and 
diligently searching his Word, which from beginning to 
end bears incontestable testimony to the truth of the doc- 
trines I have delivered to the world.' 

Mr. Shearsmith says that Swedenborg was, in stature, 
about five feet nine inches high, rather thin, and of a 



»• 



104 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

brown complexion ; that his eyes were of a brown grey, 
nearly hazel, and rather small ; that he was never seen 
to laugh, but had always a cheerful smile on his counte- 
nance.* He generally wore a dark brown coat and 
waistcoat, with black velvet breeches, except in the morn- 
ing, when he had on a long gown ; but when full dressed, 
he wore his clothes all of velvet, with a cocked hat, and 
a sword in a silver scabbard. He wore spectacles, and 
whenever he walked out he carried a golden-headed 
cane. 

It was during the latter period of his life that he board- 
ed with Mr. Shearsmith. At that time he seldom took 
any animal food, but lived principally on milk and vege- 
tables, taking tea, and sometimes coffee ; together with 
gingerbread, which he would frequently bring.home with 
him, and share with the children. It does not appear 
that he abstained from the use of animal food from mo- 
tives that are to be termed strictly conscientious, for no- 
where in his writings has he actually condemned the use 
of it. But he evidently viewed taking the life of animals 
to be inconsistent with an elevated state of the Church. 
The truth of this remark may appear from the following 
passage in the Arcana : 

' Eating the flesh of animals, considered in itself, is 
somewhat profane; for the people of the most ancient 
time never, on any account, ate the flesh of any beast or 
fowl, but fed solely on grain, especially on bread made 
of wheat, also on the fruit of trees, on pulse, on milk, and 
what is produced from milk, as butter, &c. To kill 
animals and to eat their flesh, was to them unlawful, and 
seemed as something bestial; and they were content 

* In the (Economia, in the part concerning Rational Psychology 
he says, that loud laughter has place in men of unoccupied minds 
(mens) and in such as are possessed hy the love of themselves. 



LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 105 

with the uses and services which they yielded, as appears 
also from Genesis i. 29, 30; but in succeeding times, 
when man began to grow fierce as a wild beast, yea, 
much fiercer, then first they began to kill animals, and 
to eat their flesh : and whereas man's nature and quality 
became of such a sort, therefore the killing and eating of 
animals was permitted, and at this day also it is permit- 
ted ; and so far as man does it out of conscience, so far 
it is lawful, for his conscience is formed of those things 
which he thinks to be true, consequently which he thinks 
to be lawful ; wherefore also at this day no one is by any 
means condemned for this, that he eats flesh.' n. 1002. 

No one, we apprehend, who embraces the sentiments 
above expressed, can justify to himself the use of animal 
food on any other ground, than that he was born in evils 
of all kinds, hereditarily received from his parents, and 
from a consideration that the extirpation of those evils, 
and his restoration to order, is a gradual, progressive 
work. 

The use which Swedenborg had to perform does not 
appear to be confined to the natural world. It will be 
recollected, by those who are familiar with his theological 
works, that he frequently speaks of instructing those who 
are in the intermediate state, or world of spirits. The 
New Jerusalem Church and the first Christian Church 
have the same distinction there as on earth. In answer 
to a question once put to him by Cen. Tuxen, ' whether 
there were any, and how great a number of persons 
whom he knew in this world to favor his doctrine,' he 
replied, 'not many yet that he knew of, but he might 
compute their number to perhaps fifty, or thereabouts; 
and in 'proportion the same number in the world of spirits.' 
Hence we may infer that the progress of the New Church 
9* 



106 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

on earth depends upon the state and increase of the New 
Church in the spiritual world. 

We shall introduce, in conclusion, some extracts from 
an eulogy pronounced on his memory, a short time after 
his death, by a person well acquainted with his private 
character, but who was unable to view Swedenborg in 
the light of the New Church. We consider it valuable, 
as affording better views than we could otherwise obtain, 
of that kind of estimation in which Swedenborg was held 
by those who did not profess to believe in his doctrine. 
As a great portion of the eulogy is occupied on matters 
which have been before introduced, we shall only quote 
a part of it. 

' Eulogium on Emanuel Swedenborg : Pronounced in 
the Great Hall of the House of Nobles, in the name of 
the Royal Academy of Sciences of Stockholm, October 
7, 1772 : by M. Samuel Sandel, Counsellor of the 
Royal Board of Mines, Knight of the Polar Star, and 
Member of the said Academy. 

'Gentlemen! Permit me to entertain you this day 
upon a subject, which is not of an abstracted or remote 
nature, but is intended to revive the agreeable remem- 
brance of a man celebrated for his virtues and his know- 
ledge, one of the oldest members of this Academy, and 
one whom we all knew and loved. 

' The sentiments of esteem and friendship with which 
we all regarded the late M. Emanuel Swedenborg, assure 
me of the pleasure with which you will listen to me while 
he is the subject of my discourse : happy should I be, 
could I answer your expectations, and draw his eulogium 
in the manner it deserves! But if there are some coun- 
tenances, of which, as the painters assure us, it is ex- 
tremely difficult to give an exact likeness ; how difficult 
then must it be to delineate that of a vast and sublime 



LIFE OP SWEDENBORG. 107 

genius, who never knew either repose or fatigue ; who, 
occupied with the sciences the most profound, was long 
engaged with researches into the secrets of nature, and 
who, in his latter years, applied all his efforts to unveil 
the greatest mysteries ; who, to arrive at certain branches 
of knowledge, opened for himself a way of his own, with- 
out ever straying from sound morals and true piety ; who, 
being endowed with a strength of faculties truly extra- 
ordinary, in the decline of his age, boldly elevated his 
thoughts still further, and soared to the greatest heights 
to which the intellectual faculty can arise ; and who, 
finally, has given occasion to form respecting him a 
multitude of opinions, differing as much from each other 
as do the minds of the different men by whom they are 
formed ! 

( When the riches and beauties of nature shine with 
the greatest brilliancy before our eyes, then it is that we 
perceive most distinctly the shades which are inseparable 
from them. On the appearance of a new light, the man 
of mere curiosity sees nothing but marvels and miracles 
even in its illusions. The blockhead, on the other hand, 
turns all into ridicule : in his estimation, acute penetra- 
tion is subtilty, deep thought is dreaming, abstract med- 
itation is enthusiastic reverie, to quit the beaten track is 
to go astray, and the investigation of unknown truths, is 
sheer madness. 

'In following him, the period of childhood and the 
exercises of that age cannot detain me long ; for, in him, 
every thing tended to maturity. A son of bishop Swed- 
berg could not fail to receive a good education according 
to the custom of the times, and such as was adapted to 
form his youth to virtue, to industry, to solid knowledge, 
and especially to those sciences which were to constitute 
his chief occupation. Times and manners change : but 



108 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

I am speaking of the youth of a Swedenborg. What 
need is there to expatiate further upon the well-bestowed 
cares which were employed on his education ; upon his 
eagerness to profit by such an advantage, which few 
men, comparatively, enjoy, and which so many of those 
who enjoy it, neglect ; upon the acuteness of his talents, 
which made the acquisition of knowledge easy to him, 
and cherished his excellent inclinations; in short, upon 
his diligence and early maturity ? What more striking 
proof of them could be given, than the favor of a great 
prince, who, possessing a penetrating judgment, knew 
how to discover merit and talents, to encourage them by 
his bounty, and to employ them to the best advantage? ' 

1 Swedenborg executed a work of the greatest import- 
ance, during the siege of Frederickshall, in 1718. He 
contrived to transport over valleys and mountains, by the 
help of machines of his own invention, two galleys, five 
large boats, and a sloop, from Stromstadt to Iderfjol, 
which divides Sweden from Norway towards the south ; 
that is to say, the distance of two miles and a half* By 
this operation, the king found himself in a situation to 
carry on his plans; for under the cover of these galleys 
and boats, he transported on pontoons his heavy artillery, 
which it would have been impossible to have conveyed 
by land, under the very walls of Frederickshall. It is 
thus that the science and arts, judiciously applied, be- 
come universally useful, and effect objects, which with- 
out their aid, no human power could accomplish.' 

" I have hitherto only spoken of one part of the works 
of Swedenborg : and as those which follow are of a 
quite different nature, it becomes necessary that we 
should yet dwell a little longer on these first. They are 
so many incontestable proofs of a universal erudition, 

* Equal to about fourteen English miles. 



LIFE OF SWEDENBORG, 109 

which attached itself in preference to objects which re- 
quire deep reflection and profound knowledge. None 
can reproach him with having wished to shine in borrowed 
plumes, passing off as his own the labors of others, 
dressed out in a new form and decorated with some new 
turns of expression. It must be acknowledged, on the 
contrary, that, without ever taking up the ideas of 
others, he always followed his own, and often makes 
remarks and applications which are not to be found in 
any preceding author. Nor was he at all of the same 
class as the generality of universal geniuses, who, for 
the most part, are content with merely skimming over 
the surface of things. He applied the whole force of his 
mind to penetrate into the most hidden things, to connect 
together the scattered links of the great chain of univer- 
sal being, and to trace up every thing, in an order agree- 
able to its nature, to the great First Cause. Neither did 
he proceed in the manner of certain natural philosophers 
and mathematicians, who, dazzled by the light which 
they have been in search of and have found, would, were 
. it possible, eclipse and extinguish, to the eyes of the world, 
the Only True and Great Light. He, in the course of 
his meditations on the universe and on creation, contin- 
ually found new occasions for rising in love and adora- 
tion towards the Author of nature. 

' But let us suppose ourselves engaged in examining a 
grand machine, in the construction of which we had no 
concern : we see nothing of it but its results : yet from 
its effects, with which, even, we are but imperfectly 
acquainted, we wish to judge of the whole. It will hence 
naturally happen, that every one will adopt such princi- 
ples of explanation as appear to him most certain, and 
will endeavor thence to advance, step by step. It is thus 
that have proceeded our most distinguished scholars in 



110 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

theoretical philosophy. Happy are they, who, in their 
investigations of the most sublime subjects, have been 
the least unintelligible! If, with the most profound 
knowledge, and with the greatest strength of intellect, 
they have not been able to avoid illusions and to attain 
the end proposed, they at least have struck out new paths 
for the exercise of our intellectual faculties : one idea 
leads to another ; and thus they have opened the way to 
discoveries of greater certainty. Even the searchers for 
the philosopher's stone, if, after all their labors, they have 
not succeeded in making gold, have at least enriched 
chemistry with many valuable discoveries. 

' I think I shall not be mistaken if I assert, that Swe- 
denborg, from the time when he first began to think for 
himself, was animated by a secret fire, an ardent desire 
to attain to the discovery of the most abstract things : and 
that he thenceforward thought that he had obtained a 
glimpse of the means of arriving at his end. I think I 
am justified in this supposition, on a comparison of his 
last works with his first; though they treat of very dif- 
ferent subjects. 

■ He contemplated the great edifice of the universe in 
general. He afterwards examined such of its parts as 
come within the limits of our knowledge. He saw that 
the whole is arranged in a uniform order and governed 
by certain laws. He took particular notice, in this im- 
mense machine, of every thing that can be explained 
on mathematical principles. He doubted not that the 
supreme Creator had arranged the whole, even to the most 
imperceptible parts, in the most entire harmony and the 
most complete mutual agreement : and this agreement, 
as a mathematical philosopher, he endeavored to develope, 
by drawing conclusions from the smallest parts to the 
greatest, from that which is visible before our eyes, to that 
which is scarcely discoverable even by the aid of optical 



LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. Ill 

glasses. He thus formed to himself a system founded 
upon a certain species of mechanism, and supported by 
reasoning; a system, the arrangement of which is so solid, 
and the composition so serious, that it claims and merits 
all the attention of the learned : — as for others, they may 
do better not to meddle with it. According to this 
system, he explains all that the most certain facts and the 
soundest reasoning can offer to our meditations. If we 
dare not adopt the whole, there are at least many excel- 
lent things in it which we may apply to our use. But 
he went further : he wished to combine this system with 
religion ; and to this object he almost entirely devoted 
himself from the time of the publication of his Opera 
Philosophica et Mineralia. 

1 He was the sincere friend of mankind ; and in his 
examination of the character of others, he was particu- 
larly desirous to discover in them this virtue, which he 
regarded as an infallible proof of the presence of many 
more. He was cheerful and agreeable in society. By 
way of relaxation from his important labors, he sought 
and frequented the company of persons of information, 
by whom he was always well received. He knew how 
to check opportunely, and with great address, that species 
of wit, which would indulge itself at the expense of seri- 
ous things. As a public functionary, he was upright 
and just : while he discharged his duties with great ex- 
actness, he neglected nothing but his own advancement. 
Having been called, without solicitation on his part, to a 
distinguished post, he never sought any further promotion. 
When his private occupations began to encroach upon 
the time required for the functions of his office, he 
resigned it, and remained content with the title which he 
had borne while exercising it for one-and-thirty years. 

! He was a worthy member of this Royal Academy : 
and though before his admission into it he had been 



1 12 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

engaged with subjects different from those which it cul- 
tivates, he was unwilling to be an unuseful associate. 
He enriched our Memoirs with an article on Inlaid Work 
in Marble, for Tables, and for other Ornaments. 

' As a member of the Equestrian Order of the House 
of Nobles, he took his seat in several of the Diets of the 
Realm ; in which his conduct was such as to secure him 
both from reproaches of his own conscience and from 
those of others. He lived under the reigns of many of 
our sovereigns, and enjoyed the particular favor and 
kindness of them all ; an advantage which virtue and 
science will ever enjoy under an enlightened government : 
and what people is more happy in this respect than 
are we ? 

' Swedenborg (and this I mention without intending 
to make a merit of it) was never married. This was not 
however owing to any indifference towards the sex; for 
he esteemed the company of a fine and intelligent woman 
as one of the most agreeable of pleasures ; but his pro- 
found studies rendered expedient for him the quiet of a 
single life. It may be truly said, that he was solitary, 
but never sad. 

'He always enjoyed most excellent health, having 
scarcely ever experienced the slightest indisposition. 
Content within himself, and with his situation, his life 
was, in all respects, one of the happiest that ever fell to 
the lot of man, till the very moment of its close. During 
his last residence in London, on the 24th of December, 
last year, he had an attack of apoplexy ; and, nature de- 
manding her rights, he died on the 29th of March in the 
present year [1772,] in the eighty-fifth year of his age ; 
satisfied with his sojourn on earth, and delighted at the 
prospect of his heavenly metamorphosis. 

' May this Royal Academy retain as long, a great 
number of such distinguished and useful members!' 



APPENDIX. 



NO. I. p. 10. 

The following memorial of Emanuel Swedenborg, con- 
cerning Charles XII. of Sweden, was printed in the 
Gentleman's Magazine, for September, 1754. It may, 
however, be proper to observe, that it was no doubt writ- 
ten by the author long prior to his being called to the 
sacred office which occupied the last twenty-nine years of 
his life ; (which accounts for his speaking of the celebrated 
Charles XII. with so much greater respect than he is 
known to have afterwards entertained for his memory.) 
The editor of the Gentleman's Magazine does not state by 
what means he obtained possession of the article ; — he 
most probably translated it from some foreign journal, or 
the Transactions of the Royal Academy at Stockholm; 
in which it might have appeared long before its publica- 
tion in English. 

Having been frequently admitted to the honor of hearing 
his late most excellent majesty Charles XII. discourse 
on mathematical subjects, I presume an account of a 
new arithmetic invented by him, may merit the attention 
of my hearers. 

His majesty observed then, that the denary arithmetic, 
universally received and practised, was most probably 
derived from the original method of counting on the 
fingeis; that illiterate people of old, when they had run 
through the fingers of both hands, repeated new periods 
over and over again, and every time spread open both 
10 



114 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

hands ; which being done ten times, they distinguished 
each step by proper marks, as by joining two, three, or 
four fingers. Afterwards, when this method of numeration 
on the fingers came to be expressed by proper characters, 
it soon became firmly and universally established, and so 
the denary computus has been retained to this day. But 
surely were a solid geometrician thoroughly versed in the 
abstract nature and fundamentals of numbers, and set his 
mind upon introducing a still more useful computus into 
the world, instead of ten, he would select such a perfect 
square, or cube number, as by continual bisection, or 
halving, would at length terminate in unity, and be better 
adapted to the sub-divisions of measures, weights, coins, 

Thus intent on a new arithmetic, the hero pitched 
upon the number eight, as most fit for the purpose, since 
it could not only be halved continually down to unity, 
without a fraction, but contained within it the square of 
two, and was itself the cube thereof, and was also applica- 
ble to the received denomination of several sorts of weights 
and coins, rising to 16 and 32, the double and quadruple 
of eight. Upon these first considerations, he was pleased 
to command me to draw up an essay or an octonary com- 
putus, which I completed in a few days, with its applica- 
tion to the received divisions of coins, measures, and 
weights, a disquisition on cubes and squares, and a new 
and easy way of extracting roots, all illustrated with 
examples. 

His majesty having cast his eye twice or thrice over 
it, and observing, perhaps from some hints in the essay, 
that the denary computus had several advantages not 
always attended to, he did not at that time seem absolutely 
to approve of the octonary ; or, it is like, he might con- 
ceive, that though it seemed easy in theory, yet it might 
prove difficult to introduce it to practice. Be this as it 
will, he insisted on fixing upon some other that was both 
a cube and a square number, referrible to eight, and 
divisible down to unity by bisection. This could be no 
other than 64, the cube of 4, and square of 8, divisible 
down to unity without a fraction. 

I immediately presumed to object, that such a number 



APPENDIX. 115 

would be too prolix, as it arises through a series of entirely 
distinct and different numbers up to 64, and then again 
to its duplicate 4096, and on to its triplicate 262144, 
before the fourth step commences ; so that the difficulty 
of such a computus would be incredible, not only in 
addition and substraction, but to a still higher degree 
in multiplication and division. For the memory must 
necessarily retain in the multiplication table, 3969 distinct 
products of the 61 numbers of the first step multiplied 
into one another ; whereas only 49 are necessary in the 
octonary, and but 81 are required in the denary arithme- 
tic ; which last is difficult to be remembered and applied 
in practice, by some capacities. But the stronger my 
objections were, the more resolute was his royal mind 
upon attempting such a computus. 

Obstructions made him eagerly aspire 

All to surmount, and nobly soar the higher. 

He insisted that the alleged difficulties might be over- 
balanced by very many advantages. 

A few days after this I was called before his majesty, 
who resuming the subject, demanded if I had made a 
trial ? I still urging my former objections, he reached 
me a paper written with his own hand, in new characters 
and terms of denomination, the perusal of which he was 
pleased, at my entreaty, to grant me ; wherein, to my 
great surprise, I found not only new characters and 
numbers, (the one almost naturally expressive of the 
other) in a continued series to 64, so ranged as easily to 
be remembered, but also new denominations, so contrived 
by pairs, a£ to be easily extended to myriads by a contin- 
ued variation of the character and denomination. And 
further casting my eye on several new methods of his for 
addition and multiplication by this computus, either 
artificially contrived, or else inherent in the characters of 
the numbers themselves, I was struck with the profoundest 
admiration of the force of his majesty's genius, and with 
such strange amazement, as obliged me to esteem this 
eminent personage, not my rival, but by far my superior in 
my own art. And having the original still in my custody, 
at a proper time t may publish it, as it highly deserves ; 
whereby it will appear with what discerning skill he was 



116 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

endowed, or how deeply he penetrated into the obscurest 
recesses of the arithmetical science. 

Besides, his eminent talents in calculation further 
appear, by his frequently working and solving the most 
difficult numerical problems, barely by thought and mem- 
ory, in which operations others are obliged "to take great 
pains and tedious labor. 

Having duly weighed the vast advantages arising from 
mathematical and arithmetical knowledge in most occa- 
sions of human life, he frequently used it as an addage, 
that he who is ignorant of numbers is scarce half a man. 

Whilst he was at Bender he composed a complete 
volume of military exercises, highly esteemed by those 
who are best skilled in the art of war. 

NO. II. p. 40. 

Letter written by Emanuel Swedenborg, in 1769, to 
the Rev. Thomas Hartley, M. A. Rector of Winwick, in 
Northamptonshire, England, to which is added the ori- 
ginal, in Latin. 

I take pleasure in the friendship you express for me in 
your letter, and return you sincere thanks for the same ; 
but as to the praises which you bestow upon me, I only 
receive them as tokens of your love of the truths contained 
in my writings, and so refer them to the Lord our Savior, 
from whom is all truth, because he is The Truth. (John 
xiv. 6.) It is the concluding part of your letter that 
chiefly engages my attention, where you say as follows : 
' As after your departure from England disputes may arise 
on the subject of your writings, and so give occasion of 
defending their author against such false reports and as- 
persions as they who are no friends to truth may invent 
to the prejudice of his character, may it not be of use, in 
order to refute any calumnies of that kind, that you leave 
in my hands some short account of yourself; as concern- 
ing, for example, your degrees in the university, the offices 
you have borne, your family and connexions, the honors 
which I am told have been conferred upon you, and such 
other particulars as may serve to the vindication of your 



APPENDIX. 117 

character, if attacked ; that so any ill-grounded prejudice 
may be obviated or removed ? For where the honor and 
interest of truth are concerned, it certainly behoves us to 
employ all lawful means in its defence and support.' After 
reflecting on the foregoing passage, I was induced to 
comply with your friendly advice, by briefly communicat- 
ing the following circumstances of my life. 

I was born at Stockholm, in the year 1689, [it has 
been ascertained that this should be 1688,] Jan. 29th. 
My father's name was Jesper Swedberg; who was bishop 
of West-Gothland, and a man of celebrity in his time. 
He was also elected a member of the [English] Society 
for the propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts ; for he 
had been appointed by King Charles XII. as bishop over 
the Swedish churches in Pennsylvania and London. In 
the year 1710 I began my travels, first going to England, 
and thence to Holland, France, and Germany ; whence I 
returned home in 1714. In the year 1716, and after- 
wards, I had many conversations with Charles XII. king 
of Sweden, who was pleased to bestow on me a large 
share of his favor, and in that year appointed me to the 
office of Assessor of the Metallic College ; in which I 
continued till the year 1747, when I resigned it ; but I 
still retain the salary annexed to it, as an appointment for 
life. My sole view in this resignation was, that I might 
be more at liberty to devote myself to that new function 
to which the Lord had called me. On my resigning my 
office a higher degree of rank was offered me ; but this I 
utterly declined, lest it should be the occasion of inspiring 
me with pride. In 1719 I was ennobled by Queen Ul- 
rica Eleonora, and named Swedenborg ; from which time 
I have taken my seat with the Nobles of the Equestrian 
Order in the Triennial Assemblies of the States of the 
Realm. I am a Fellow, by invitation, of the Royal 
Academy of Sciences at Stockholm ; but I have never 
sought admission into any other literary society, as I 
belong to an angelic society, wherein things relating to 
heaven and the soul are the only subjects of discourse 
and entertainment ; whereas the things which occupy the 
attention of our literary societies are such as relate to the 
world and the body. In the year 1734, I published at 
10* 



118 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

Leipsic the Regnum Miner ale, in three volumes, folio : 
and in 1738 I took a journey into Italy, and stayed a 
year at Venice and Rome. 

With respect to my family connexions : I had four 
sisters. One of them was married to Eric Benzelius, 
afterwards promoted to the Archbishoprick of Upsal : and 
thus I became related to the two succeeding Archbishops 
of that see, both named Benzelius, and younger brothers 
of the former. My second sister was married to Lars 
Benzelstierna, who was promoted to a provincial govern- 
ment. But all these are dead ; however, two bishops who 
are related to me are still living: one of them, named 
Filenius, is Bishop of East Gothland, and now officiates 
as President of the Ecclesiastical Order in the Diet at 
Stockholm, in the room of the Archbishop, who is infirm ; 
he married my sister's daughter : the other, named Ben- 
zelstierna, is Bishop of Westmania and Dalecarlia; he is 
the son of my second sister. Not to mention others of 
my relations who enjoy stations of dignity. I live, 
besides, on terms of familiarity and friendship with all the 
bishops of my country, who are ten in number ; as also 
with the sixteen Senators and the rest of the Nobility ; 
for they know that I am in fellowship with angels. The 
King and Queen, also, and the three princes their sons, 
show me much favor : I was once invited by the King 
and Queen to dine at their table, — an honor which is in 
general granted only to the Nobility of the highest rank ; 
and likewise, since, with the hereditary Prince. They 
all wish for my return home ; for so far am I from being 
in any danger of persecution in my own country, as you 
seem to apprehend, and so kindly wish to provide against ; 
and should any thing of the kind befal me elsewhere, it 
cannot hurt me. 

But I regard all that I have mentioned as matters of 
respectively little moment ; for, what far exceeds them, I 
have been called to a holy office by the Lord himself, who 
most graciously manifested himself in person to me his 
servant in the year 1743; when he opened my sight to 
the view of the spiritual world, and granted me the priv- 
ilege of conversing with spirits and angels, which I enjoy 
to this day. From that time I began to print and publish 



APPENDIX. 119 

various arcana that have been seen by me or revealed to 
me; as respecting heaven and hell, the state of man after 
death, the true worship of God, the spiritual sense of the 
Word ; with many other most important matters condu- 
cive to salvation and true wisdom. The only reason of 
my later journeys to foreign countries, has been the desire 
of being useful, by making known the arcana entrusted 
to me. 

As to this world's wealth, I have what is sufficient : 
and more I neither seek nor wish for. 

Your letter has drawn the mention of these things from 
me, with the view, as you suggest, that any ill-grounded 
prejudices may be removed. Farewell ; and from my 
heart I wish you all felicity both in this world and the 
next ; which I make no doubt of your attaining, if you 
look and pray to our Lord. 

Emanuel Swedenborg. 

Responsum ad Epistolam ab Amico ad me scriptam. 

Gaudeo ex amicitia, quam testiflcaris in Epistola tua; 
pro hac et imprimis pro ilia refero Tibi ex animo gratias ; 
laudes, quibus me cumulas, non recipio aliter, quam quod 
sint amoris veritatum in scriptis meis ; et quia inde sunt, 
ideo transmitto illas ad Dominum nostrum Salvatorem, a 
Quo est omne veritatis quia est Ipsa Veritas. Joh. xiv. 6, 
duntaxat ad ilia, quag ad finem scribis, animum adverti, 
quse hasc sunt : Si forsan post discessum tuum ex Anglia 
oriatur sermo de Scriptis tuis, et tunc quoque occasio de- 
fcndendi te auctorem contra malcvolum aliquem conviciato- 
rem, quistudebit Icedere famam tuam excogitatis mendaciis, 
ut solent quidam inter osores veritatis, annon usui erit ad 
refellenda talia opprobria, ut relinquas penes me qucedam 
pariicularia de te, de gradibus in Academia, de publicis 
Officii* quibus functus es, de Cognitis fy Cognatis, de 
Honoribus tuis, quibus te ornatum audivi, ac de reliquis 
qua, ad bonam famam stabiliendam inservire potuerint ; ut 
sic prcejudicia male capta amoveantur : nam, omnibus me- 
diis liciiis utendum est, ne aliquid detrimenti capiat Veri- 
tas. Post meditationem de his, tractus sum ad obtem- 
perandum amico tuo consilio, quod est, ut aliqua de rebus 
vitae mese communicem, quse in summario sunt haec. 



120 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

Natus sum Anno 1689 d : 22 Jan. Stockholmiae, a 
Patre nominato Jesper Swedberg, qui fuit Episcopus 
Westrogothiae, suo tempore Celebris ; qui etiam in Mem- 
brum Societatis propangandi fidem, ab ilia Angliae Soci- 
etate, electus et adscriptus erat ; nam a Rege Carolo XII 
etiam ut Episcopus propositus est Ecclesiis Suecanis in 
Pensylvania, et quoque Ecclesiae in Londino. Anno 
1710 peregre profectus sum, primum in Angliam, & inde 
in Hollandiam, Galliam et Germaniam, a quibus Anno 
1714 domum redii. Anno 1716 et postea cum Carolo 
XII Rege Sueciae saepe loquutus sum, qui magnopere 
mihi favit, et eo Anno insignivit me munere Assessoris in 
Collegio :metallico, quo postea functus sum usque ad 
Annum 1747; quo Anno me illo abdicavi, retinendo 
usque salarium istius muneris ad finem vita? meas ; abdi- 
cavi me illo unice propter finem, ut novae functioni a 
Domino mihi injunctae eo melius vacarem ; offerebatur 
tunc mihi superior dignitatis gradus, sed ilium prorsus 
renuntiavi, ne fastus inde invaderet animum. Anno 
1716 a Regina Ulrica Eleonora nobilitatus sum, et nomi- 
natus Swedenborg, et ab eo tempore in Conventibus, qui 
quovis tertio anno recurrunt, fui inter Nobiles in Equestri 
Ordine. Academiae Regiae scientiarum, quag Stock- 
holmiae est, consocius et membrum sum, ad quod invita- 
tus ; receptionem in aliquam Societatem literatam alibi 
nusquam petivi, quoniam in Societate angelica sum, et in 
hac solum agitur de talibus, quae Cceli et Animae sunt, at 
in Societatibus literatorum de talibus quae Mundi et Cor- 
poris sunt. Anno 1734 edidi Regnum Miner ale Lipsiae, 
in 3 Voluminibus in Folio. Anno 1738 iter feci in Ita- 
liam, et Venetiis et Romae per annum commoratus. 

Quoad cognationes meas; fuerant mihi quatuor Soro- 
res ; harum unam in uxorem duxit Ericus Benzelius, qui 
postea factus est Archi Episcopus Upsalioe, et sic ego 
agnatus cum duobus sequentibus Archi Episcopis ibi, 
qui erant Benzelli, fratres minorennes prions : alteram 
meara Sororem duxit Lars Benzelstierna, qui fuit insigni- 
tus honore Gubernatoris provincial ; sed hi mortui sunt. 
Ast duo Episcopi mei afnnes hodie inter vivos sunt, unus 
qui vocatur Filenius, Episcopus Ostrogothiae, qui nunc in 
Conventu Stockholmiae in Ordine Eeclesiastico munus 



APPENDIX. 121 

Praesidiis loco Archi-Episcopi aegrotantis obit, hie filiam 
sororis meae habuit uxorem : alter qui vocatur Benzelsti- 
erna Episcopus Wessmanniae et Dalekarliae, hie est filius 
secundae sororis meae; ut taceam alios in dignitate con- 
stitutos. Piaeterea in Patria mea omnes Episcopi, qui 
numero 10 sunt, et quoque Senatores, qui numero 16, et 
reliqui Magnates, me amant, et ex amore honorant, & 
cum illis familiariter, sicut amicus cum amicis, convivo ; 
hoc fit, quoniam sciunt, quod in consortio cum Angelis 
sim. Ipse Rex &, Regina, et tres illorum filii Principes, 
multopere mihi favent ; semel etiam a Rege et Regina 
invitatus ad mensam comedi cum illis, quod alioquin non 
conceditur ulli nisi quam magnatibus ; et similiter postea 
cum Principe haereditario. Omnes aventreditum meum ; 
quapropter in Patria mea nihil minus timeo quam perse- 
quutionem, de qua aliquid suspicaris, et pro qua ideo fa- 
ventissime consulis in Epistola tua ; si me persequuntur 
alibi, hoc ad me non pertingit. Sed recensita ilia respicio 
sicut parvi momenti respective, quoniam id, quod ilia 
excedit, est, quod ab ipso Domino vocatus sim ad munus 
sanctum, Qui se in Persona clementissime manifestavit 
coram me servo suo, Anno 1743, et tunc aperuit mihi 
visum in Spiritualem mundum, & dedit loqui cum spirit- 
ibus &> angelis, quod perstitit usque ad hunc diem ; ab eo 
tempore incepi typis vulgare varia arcana mihi visa & 
revelata, ut de Casio & Inferno, de Statu hominum post 
mortem, de vero Cultu Divino, de Sensu spirituali Verb?, 
praeter dignissima alia, quae ad salutem & ad sapientiam 
conducunt. Quod aliquoties e Patria mea ad exteras 
regiones profectus sim, non fuit ex alia causa, quam ex 
desiderio faciendi usus, ac detegendi arcana mihi concre- 
dita. Praeterea possideo opes, quantum sat est, nee 
quasro neque desidero plus. Ad haec commemoranda 
adducor a tua Epistola, ut praejudicia male capta amove- 
antur ; ut scribis. Vale, et Tibi felicia in hoc Man do et 
in futuro ex corde adopto, nee dubito quin illis, si spectas 
&l oras ad Dominum nostrum, potiturus sis. 

Emanuel Swedenborg, 



122 



LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 



NO. III. p. 45. 

CATALOGUE OF SWEDENBORG's MANUSCRIPTS. 

A catalogue of all the autograph manuscripts of the. late Assessor 
the Honorable Emanuel Swedenborg, which, together with that 
part of his correspondence which relates to the works published 
by him in print and other documents, are delivered over to the 
Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, for the purpose of being pre- 
served in their library with that solicitude, which it is expected will 
be considered due to the contents of these documents, as well as 
to the reputation of the deceased, and the honor of his family, both 
now and hereafter. 

Theologica. 

1st. Apocalypsis, explicata secundum sensum spiritu- 
alem, ubi revalantur arcana, quae ibi prsedicta et hactenus 
recondita fuerunt; in 4to. Vol. 1,2, and 3. Contains 
altogether 996 folios. 

2d. Index rerum in Apocalypsi revelata. 

3c?. Three volumes in folio, containing probably the 
first sketch of the Arcana Coelestia which afterwards was 
published in print in eight volumes. The first volume 
contains an explication of Genesis from its commencement 
to chap. 35, v. 16, inclusive, in 1713 sections. 

The second volume contains 

1. The continuation of Genesis to its conclusion, in 
1511 sec. 

2. An Explication of Exodus, which commences with 
1516 sec. and continues to the 14th chap. v. 28, inclusive. 

The third volume contains 

1. A continuation of Exodus in 4450 sec. 

2. An explication of the book of Joshua from sec. 4451 
to 4636. 

3. An explication. of the book of Judges, 4637 to 4856. 

Ruth, 4857 to 4860. 

1st book of Samuel, 4861 to 5039. 

5040 to 5180. 
Kings, 5181 to 5315. 

5316 to 5345. 
Chronicles, ) 5346 to 
Chronicles, J 5409. 
Leviticus, 5410 to 6496. 
Numbers, 6497 to 7648. 
Deuteronomy, 7649 to 
7762. 



4. 




5. 


* 1st 


6. 


2d 


7. 


' 1st 


8. ' 


2d 


9. 


< 1st 


10. 


2d 


11. 




12. 




13. 





APPENDIX. 123 

Ath. One volume in folio, in which is found an expli- 
cation of 

1. Isaiah from page 1 to page 77. 

2. Jeremiah from page 78 to page 107. 

5th. Some sheets royal folio, bound in Turkish paper, 
paged from page 332 to page 370, inclusive, in which is 
a summary explication of all the books of the prophets 
and of the Psalms of David. 

6th. Clavis Hieroglyphica Arcanorum naturalium et 
spiritualium per viam representationum et corresponden- 
tiarum, 48 pages in 4to. 

7th. Six volumes royal folio, numbered on the back 
with Roman figures, and all bound in parchment except- 
ing the 4th volume, which has lost its binding, but by its 
connexion, according to the current series of its para- 
graphs with the 5th, is discovered to be the fourth in 
order. These large books are for the greater part arranged 
in the form of dictionaries ; and it seems that 

Vols. 1 and 2 are indexes to a part of the books of the 
Old Testament. 

Vol. 3, is likewise an index to part of the books of the 
New Testament. The latter part of vol. 2, as also 

Vols. 4 and 5, have the appearance of containing sepa- 
rate treatises and memorable relations, intended to illus- 
trate his theological writings ; but, according to the order 
of paragraphs thus : that the first commencement indeed 
is wanting ; but that the commencement of what remains 
is found to be made in vol. 2, beginning on the last leaf 
with sec. 206, and proceeding in retrograde order from 
the end of the book to about its middle, where it ends 
with sec. 972. The continuation is found in vol. 4, but 
commences in the middle of the book with sec. 913, and 
continues to the end of the book, where it ends with sec. 
1789, but commences again with sec. 1790 at the begin- 
ning of the book, and goes on to sec. 3427 ; this collec- 
tion afterwards runs on in vol. 5, from sec. 3428 to 6093. 

Vol. 6, is also an extensive index, probably to some of 
the author's own collections or some work of his ; but it 
must have been either written over again, or used for 
some particular purpose, since through the whole of this 
extensive book, line after line is found to be struck out. 



124 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

8th. A volume of a similar kind, but without any num- 
ber, which professes to contain an index to the prophet 
Isaiah. But the contents are found to be crossed over on 
every page 

9th. Another volume of similar form and binding, which 
may be an index to the printed Apocalypsis Revelata. 

10th. An index in parchment binding, folio, to the 5th 
volume mentioned above, particularly to the memorable 
relations written there and in other places. 

11th. Ten volumes in oblong quarto, parchment binding, 
with Roman numbers on the backs, marked from 1 to 10, 
inclusive, with respect to which, it is to be observed, that 
vol. 1 bears the following inscription on its first leaf: 
Nomina Virorum, Terrarum, Regnorum, Urbium ; and 
professes to be a nomenclature of names occurring in the 
Old Testament. Vols. 2 and 3, have the appearance of 
being indexes to some of his own works ; and we observe 
that towards the end of vol. 4, commences a series of 
pages which continues through vols. 5, 6, and 7, and 
stops in vol. 8, page 1301. In vol. 9, a new series of 
pages is again commenced, which is continued in vol. 10, 
to page 462. 

12th. Seven volumes of similar form and binding, 
which have now been numbered from 1 to 7 inclusive, 
not according to any connexion discoverable in their 
contents, but merely for the sake of order in registering 
them. Of these, vol. 1 is supposed to be a liber memo- 
rialis on several technical terms occurring in the sciences ; 
it also contains annotations and extracts from different 
authors, besides his own thoughts, as for example : 

Correspondentia Harmonica, page 205, 220, 235, 250, 
270. 

Arithmetica Geometrica, p. 222. 

Oratio dominica seu Pater noster, p. 224. 

Harmonica Musica, p. 247. 

Optica, p. 229. 

The order to be observed in the greater and smaller 
divisions of his treatise on QEconomia Animali : 

1. Regno Animali, p. 253, 262, 268. 

Religio naturalis qualis and qualiter a vera degenerat, 
p. 258. 



APPENDIX. 125 

Representatio Oraculorum, p. 267. Contains 270 
pages, and is furnished with an index. 

Vol. 2. Has been discovered to be an index to Con- 
cordia pia, Lipsiae edita, 1756, in 8vo. 

Vol. 3. Contains texts of Scripture collected under 
certain heads, such as Apostoli, Miracula, Deus Pater &, 
Filius, &c. 

Vol. 4. Is thought to be an index appertaining to some 
manuscript treatise de Amore conjugiali. 

Vol. 5. Contains 274 pages, and consists chiefly of 
blank paper ; but yet contains some annotations on the 
council of Trent, page 3. His own Memorabilia respect- 
ing his conversation with Calvin, page 7. De Deo Salva- 
tore Jesu Christo, page 111. Doctrina novae Ecclesiae in 
summario, page 200. 

Vol. 6. Is most of it blank paper and shows itself to be 
the commencement of an index of the same kind as vol. 2. 

Vol. 7. Contains, first an Index Partis Secundae GEcon- 
omiae animalis, but after that, de Messia iterum venturo, 
ut reducat Judaeos. 

A collection of passages of Scripture in 94 sec. 

De Regno Dei, first in 210 sec. and then in 14 sec. 

And finally, De Babylone, in 6 sec. 

13th. A small octavo in Italian binding of 134 pages, 
filled with memorable relations, of which all are arranged 
under separate heads. 

14th. Three large packets, in which, according to a 
separate inscription on each, are laid together, probably 
the first systematically written Arcana Ccelestia and 
Apocalypsis Revelata. 

15th. Novi Testamenti versio latina a Sebastiano 
Schmidio, in which were found several autograph anno- 
tations. Also some part of versio latina veteris Testa- 
menti, with some autograph annotations. 

16th. A packet, see No. 13, Philosophica. 
Philosophica. 

1st. De Magnete et diversis ejus qualitatibus, 273 pages 
in quarto. 

2d. De Secretione Argenti et Cupri, quae Segerarbete 
vocatur. 263 pages in quarto. 

3d. De Sulphuro et Pyrite. 229 pages in 4to. 
11 



126 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

4th. De Victriolo elixandi. 446 pages in 4to. 

5th. De Sale Communi ; h. e. de Sale fossili vel gem- 
meo, marine- & fontano. 343 pages in 4to. 

6th. Geometrica et Algebraica. 279 pages 4to. 

7th. Principia Rerum Naturalium ab Experimentis et 
Geometria sive ex priori et posteriori educta. 569 pages 
in 4to. 

8th. Three short treatises. 

1. De Spiritu animali. 24 pages. 

2. De sensatione, seu de corporis passione, in 13 
chapters. 

3. De Actione, in 35 chapters. 

9th. One volume in 4to, of 760 pages. On its first leaf 
we indeed find the following title: QEconomia Animalis, 
seu transactiones de utraque parte hominis, de cerebro, 
medulla oblongata et spinali, de nervis, analytice, physice, 
philosophice demonstrata ; but the treatise on this subject 
is not continuous, but dispersed and interrupted with other 
matter; viz. 

1. Description of his travels in foreign countries, in 
the years 1710, p. 498—1721, p. 503—1723, p. 8 to p. 
39, which afterwards is continued p. 45 to p. 49, and 
finally from p. 55 to p. 115. 1736, 1737, 1738, 1739, 
from p. 404 to p. 542, and afterwards from p. 730 to p 
733—737. 

2. Comparatio Onthologiae and Cosmologise generalis, 
Christiani Wolfii, cum principiis nostris rerum naturalium 
p. 41. 

3. De Aqu is csementariis Hungarian, p. 41 to p. 46. 

4. De puncti attributis. p. 49 to p. 65. 

5. De Mechanismo animas and corporis, besides several 
onthologica, psycologica, anatomica & excerpta variorum, 
from p. 116 to 495, and from p. 550 to p. 711, with an 
index to it from p. 712 to p. 729. 

6. Description of several of his own dreams in the years 
1736, 1737, 1738, 1739, and 1740. p. 730 to 733, and 
p 411 to 745. These leaves have been taken out to be 
kept by the family itself. 

10th. Several fragments of greater or smaller sizes, 
written in different styles, but apparently by his own hand, 
probably of his treatises (Economia Naturalis, & Regnum 
Animate. 



APPENDIX. 1 27 

11th. De Sensu communi, ejusque influxu in animam. 
Fragment. 

12th. Two short treatises, but deficient : de Musculis 
Faciei, &> de Aure humana. 

13th. Several mixed fragments, laid together in one 
packet, but afterwards divided into two packets. One 
for such as were written since 1745. 

Letters and Documents. 

In one packet, laid together, and numbered as follows 

No. 1. Papers arrived from London in the month ot 
September of the present year, and probably the last 
written by Assessor Swedenborg's own hand. 

No. 2. Projects and Memorials presented on different 
political occasions. 

No. 3. Correspondence with and controversial writings 
against the deceased councillor of commerce, Norden- 
crantz, and President Von Oehlreich. 

No. 4. Letters from the bishop Dr. Jesper Swedberg. 

No. 5. Do. From Lewis, Printer in London. 
* No. 6. Do. From John Hart, printer in London. 

No. 7. Do. from P. Roger Docteur en Theologie, and 
Madame Johanna Corleva. 

No. 8. Do. from Hekel, bookseller in Dresden. 

No. 9. Do. from George Schneider, in Hamburgh. 

No. 10. Do. from Joachim Wretham, in Amsterdam. 

No. 11. Do. from Margarretha Ahlstrom, in London. 

No. 12. Do. from Zacharias Stromberg, in Amsterdam. 

No. 13. Several first draughts of letters and answers, 
written by himself. 

No. 14. Several foreign letters, and among them some 
from the Academy of Sciences at St. Petersburgh, and 
from Ch. Wolfius. 

No. 15. Letters from his relations and friends, particu- 
larly from his brother in law, the Archbishop Doctor Eric 
Benzelius, and Probst J. Unge. 

No. 16. Letters from L. Baron Von Hatzel, Chev. 
Grand Croix de 1'Ordre de St. George, together with his 
Excellency's the Councellor of State, Count Gustav. 
Sonde's letter of the 7th August, 1760 and the answer 
afterwards given to it by Assessor Swedenborg. 



128 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

17. and 18. Letters from Herman Oberreit, Johannes 
Caspar, Lavater and Christian Tuxen. 

19. Letters from Abbas F. C. Ottinger, of the years 
1765, 1766, 1767, 1768, with which are found the first 
draughts of three answers. 

No. 20. Four letters from different persons. 

No. 21. First draughts of several letters. 

No. 22. Letters from Polheim, Klingenstierna, A. Cel- 
sius, N. Shenmark, the Academies of Upsula and Abo, 
and several bishops. 

No. 23. Powers of attorney general, and special, as 
well as other documents relative to Assessor Swedenborg's 
private affairs. 

Stockholm, the 27th of October, 1771. 

Gn the part of the heirs of Swedenborg : 

E. Wenneborg. 

C. Bentzelstierna. 

NO. IV. 

Letter of Emanuel Swedenborg to the king of Sweden 
on the subject of the persecution which he received from 
the clergy. It is without date, but probably written about 
1769. 

Sire : I find myself necessitated at this period to have 
recourse to your majesty's protection, having met with 
usage of such a nature, as no other person has experienced 
since the establishment of Christianity in Sweden, and 
much less since there has been liberty of conscience. 
The following is an abridgment of the particulars that 
are the occasion of my requesting your majesty's inter- 
ference. 

On my arrival in Sweden from foreign parts, I was 
informed that bishop Filenius had suppressed and seized 
the copies of my treatise De Amore Conjugiali, that I had 
printed in Holland, and which were sent to Norlcj oping. 
Having inquired of some bishops, whether bishop F. had 
acted in this manner from his own authority, or that of 
the clerical body, they replied, that they had heard of the 
affair, but that none of them had been consulted about it, 
or had given his consent thereunto ; and that there was 



APPENDIX. 129 

not one word set down in the journal of the ecclesiastical 
court concerning it. Some ecclesiastics at Gottenburg 
being emboldened by this inconsiderate and violent con- 
duct of the bishops, began to speak and declaim loudly 
against my writings, and so far succeeded as to have an 
assembly appointed for their examination, consisting of 
some bishops and professors in divinity. This assembly 
continued sitting for the space of some months, and at 
length made a favorable report, which stopped the mouths 
of those accusers at once; their attempts were then 
thought to cease, and the affair to have an end. To 
prevent all thought of its being rekindled, it was con- 
cluded, that a petition should be presented to your ma- 
jesty, to issue orders to the chancellor of justice, to give 
an information of the authors who had raised the disturb- 
ance at Gottenburg. The bishop and deacon of that 
place, who were the principal movers in this affair, seeing 
the little success of their project to engage the body of 
the clergy, to light up the fire for which they had made 
ready the materials, had recourse to calumnies and inju- 
ries, and filled twenty printed leaves with invectives, which 
they circulated amongst the public. I was farther in- 
tbrmed, that your majesty, hearing of this dispute, took it 
under your own consideration, decided it in the senate, 
and ordered the chancellor to forward letters relative 
thereto to the consistory at Gottenburg. 

I had no notice sent me of all these proceedings ; my 
person, writings, and sentiments on the worship of my 
Lord our Savior, were attacked and persecuted, and I 
have neither been called to make my defence, nor been 
heard respecting it : but truth itself has answered for me. 
The accounts that were published at Gottenburg on this 
matter, did not touch the substance of the cause, and 
were filled with invectives and gross injuries. The first 
account I had of these papers, was from a general com- 
missary of war at Elseneur, (General Tuxen,) and a friend 
at Stockholm, who lent them to me for a day ; and I found 
therein two letters of bishop F. wherein it is said, that he 
should meddle no more in it. I am desirous to convince 
the world, that all these proceedings from their beginning 



IV 



130 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

to their end, have been carried on without my having 
ever been heard. A rumor has nevertheless spread 
throughout Stockholm, that the chancellor of justice has 
declared in writing to the consistory at Gottenburg, that 
my writings are prohibited from being brought into that 
place, under the penalty of fifty dollars; and that my 
revelations have been declared false, and not truth. I 
have already informed your majesty, and beseech you to 
recall it to j mind, that the Lord our Savior manifested 
himself to me in a sensible personal appearance ; that he 
has commanded me to write what has been already done, 
and what I have still to do : that he was afterwards 
graciously pleased to endow me with the privilege of con- 
versing with angels and spirits, and to be in fellowship 
with them. I have already declared this more than once 
to your majesty in the presence of all the royal family, 
when they were graciously pleased to invite me to their 
table with five senators, and several other persons ; this 
was the only subject discoursed of during the repast. Of 
this I also spoke afterwards to several other senators ; and 
more openly to their excellencies count de Tessin, count 
Bonde, and count Hopken, who are still alive, and were 
satisfied with the truth of it. I have declared the same 
in England, Holland, Germany, Denmark, Spain, and at 
Paris, to kings, princes, and other particular persons, as 
well as to those in this kingdom. If the common report 
is believed, the chancellor has declared, that what I have 
been reciting are untruths, although the very truth. To 
say that they cannot believe and give credit to such things, 
therein will I excuse them, for it is not in my power to 
place others in the same state that God has placed me, 
so as to be able to convince them by their own eyes and 
ears of the truth of those deeds and things I have made 
publicly known. I have no ability to capacitate them to 
converse with angels and spirits, neither to work miracles 
to dispose or force their understandings, to comprehend 
what I say. When my writings are read with attention 
and cool reflection (in which many things are to be met 
with as hitherto unknown) it is easy enough to conclude, 
that I could not come by such knowledge, but by a real 
vision, and converse with those who are in the spiritual 



APPENDIX. 131 

world. As a farther proof, I beseech* their excellencies 
to peruse what is contained in my treatise on ConjugiaJ 
Love, page 314 to 316. This book is in the hands of 
count D'Ekeblad, and count de Bjelke. If any doubt 
shall still remain, I am ready to testify with the most 
solemn oath that can be offered in this matter, that I 
have said nothing but essential and real truth, without 
any mixture of deception. This knowledge is given to 
me from our Savior, not for any particular merit of mine, 
but for the great concern of all Christians' salvation and 
happiness; and as such, how can any one venture to 
assert it as false? That these things may appear such 
as many have had no conception of, and of consequence, 
that they cannot from thence credit, has nothing remark- 
able in it, for scarce any thing is known respecting them. 

If it is true that the chancellor has written to the con- 
sistory at Gottenburg, in the terms which I have related 
from the public rumor, it will give occasion to conclude, 
that my writings contain errors, and that what I have 
declared to be revealed to me are falsities, which can in 
nowise be proved, unless construed to a sense I never 
intended. In such a case, according to the laws on that 
head, I might be arrested and shut up in prison, and all 
this without being heard in my own defence. This is 
the motive for my having recourse to your majesty for 
protection ; for since the establishment of Christianity and 
liberty in our country, it is a thing altogether unheard of, 
that any person has been proceeded against in the man- 
ner they have against me. 

On this interesting affair, which concerns not only my 
writings, but also my person and reputation, I humbly 
request your majesty, that the reverend clergy may deliver 
their opinion to yourself on that matter, likewise the 
minutes of the council that examined the writings, and 
the letter said to be forwarded by the chancellor of justice 
to the consistory at Gottenburg, to the intent, that I may 
be informed thereof, and, as well as others of your majesty's 
subjects, be enabled to make a suitable reply, and heard 



* At that time the King only presided in the senate, to which 
body at large he therefore addressed this letter. 



132 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

in my own defence, possessing the like right and privileges 
to require it. 

As to what relates to the doctors Beyer and Rosen of 
Gottenburg, I advised them to nothing, but to address 
themselves to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, as a 
means of attaining to heavenly good and blessedness, for 
he only has power in heaven and earth, as declared in 
Matthew xxviii. 18. As far as I have been able to learn, 
they have said no more. This is conformable to the 
Augsburgh confession, the Formula Concordia, and the 
whole of Sacred Writ. Yet these gentlemen have be- 
come no less objects of the most cruel persecutions than 
myself, arising from the enmity of the bishop and dean of 
that town. I can say the same of my writings, which I 
regard as another self; and that all that this dean has 
laid to my charge is mere scandal and lies. I have 
farther to intreat, that the two letters adjoined to this, 
which I wrote to Dr. Beyer concerning this business, may 
be read. Emanuel Swedenborg. 

NO V. p. 91. 
The following is an extract from a notice of Count 
Hopken by one of his cotemporaries. 

Baron Daniel Niclas Van Hopken, the father of Count 
Andrew John, was secretary of state in the department of 
foreign affairs, and afterwards president in the court of 
commerce : a man of great abilities. Count Andrew Van 
Hopken, his son, was, while young, engaged in the same 
department with his father, and after ten years diligent 
application, he displayed such proofs of abilities, that he 
was honored with great confidence in matters of public 
importance. But I ought to remind you of the state of 
Sweden, while Count Andrew prepared his memory for 
immortality, and I hope you will make some allowance if 
I am not able to express myself with that strength, that 
elegance, and that clearness in English as I should wish. 

Count Andrew Van Hopken as a public man was acute 
and prudent ; as a private man, amiable and instructive. 
If in his life time (says his panegyrist) truth and science, 
the offspring of learning, were dangerous in affairs of 
policy, they were, however, for him in his private life, 



APPENDIX. 133 

innocent companions to whom he had a just claim, as 
from his infancy he had gained their confidence. Their 
friendship for him was the cause of his being chosen a 
member of severel learned societies ; was the cause that 
he visited the world with reputation ; travelled through 
Germany, Holland, Flanders, Italy, France, and Eng- 
land. Truth and science travelled and dwelt with him, 
partook his troubles, and his pleasures; were his advisers 
in prosperity, his support in adversity, his safeguard in 
dangers. By their means he commanded veneration 
from respectable people, esteem from the lower, reputation 
amongst the enlightened, and mutual confidence from 
the learned. No wonder then if he loved them, and if 
they never abandoned him. 

His learning was great, his pen manly ; many of his 
most reputable countrymen gave him the title of the 
Swedish Tacitus. He was, to his last, a defender of lib- 
erty, and was repugnant to the present government in 
Sweden, which he always branded with the epithet of 
absolute. He was one of the institutors of the Swedish 
Royal Academy of Sciences, and served the academy 
with his abilities for several years in the quality of its 
secretary : In private conversation he did not speak idle 
things, but always to the purpose : He did not write much 
for the public, but what he wrote is masterly : He was a 
man of fortune, but without avarice or prodigality : He 
had dignity in his carriage, and was of a well-favored 
aspect, and much beloved by his inferiors. He took leave 
of his high office ; was some years after recalled by the 
present king to enter again in the senate ; but seeing the 
liberty of his country in distress, he left willingly this 
high office, and enjoyed a philosophical tranquillity by the 
serenity of his temper even to the 9th of March last year 5 
when by an apoplectic stroke, he unexpectedly left us to 
regret him in the 77th year of his age. 

NO. VI. 
Letters to Dr. Gabriel Andrew Beyer. 

LETTER I. 

Stockholm, Sept. 25th, 1766. 
Dear Sir I arrived here the 8th of this month. The 



134 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

voyage from England hither was made in eight days. 
The wind was favorable, but attended with a violent storm, 
which occasioned so short a passage. I have since 
received yours of the 17th of September, and am glad to 
find yourself and my other friends are well at Gottenburg, 
to all of whom you will please to present my compliments. 

I wish much blessing to the intended publication of 
the Library of Sermons, [the title of a work written by 
Dr. Beyer,] and send you herewith my subscription for 
the same. I presume you will use all necessary pre- 
caution in this work, because the time is not yet arrived, 
that the essentials of the New Church can be so received ; 
the clergy, who have so much confirmed themselves in 
their tenets at the universities, find it difficult to be 
convinced, for all confirmations, in things pertaining to 
theology, are, as it were, glued fast in the brains, and can 
with difficulty be removed ; and, whilst they remain, 
genuine truths can find no place. Besides, the new 
heaven of Christians, from whence the New Jerusalem 
from the Lord will descend, Revel, xxi. 12, is not yet 
perfectly settled. 

It is now generally thought here at Stockholm, that 
faith and charity must advance together, and that the one 
cannot exist without the other, by reason that good works 
are the fruits of faith, and show themselves in a state of 
justification ; yet very few of the Lutherans think beyond 
this, although the learned have not yet discovered any 
connexion between faith and good works, for which reason 
they assert good works to be only things of a moral and 
civil nature, and so far good, but not available unto 
salvation, &c. They are also in the right, because from 
such a faith no other works can be derived : the case is 
different as to faith in Jesus Christ. 

With respect to the Divine Humanity of the Lord, it is 
not contrary to the Formula Concordia, where we are 
taught, that ' in Christ God is man, and man is God, and 
the assertion of Paul is confirmed, that in Christ all the 
fulness of the Godhead dwelleth bodily,' &c. Of the 
writings of Belimen I cannot judge, as I have never read 
them. I remain, &c. E.manuel Swedenborg, 



APPENDIX. 135 



LETTER II. 



Stockholm, Oct. 30, 1769. 

Dear Sir : I arrived at Stockholm the beginning of 
this month, and was kindly received by all classes of 
people, and instantly invited by their royal highnesses 
the hereditary prince and his sister, with both of whom 
I had a long conversation. I have also dined with several 
of the senators, and conversed with the first members of 
the diet, and with the bishops here present, who have 
all behaved very kind and affable to me, except bishop 
Filenius. On being informed that my copies of the work, 
de Amove Cojijugiali, were stopped at Norkjoping, I 
inquired of the bishops, Enander from Abo, of Benzel- 
stierna from Westerns, of bishop Lutkeman, and of bishop 
Lamberg, how matters stood respecting my writings, who 
all assured me, that they knew no other but the books 
were taken care of, lest any part of them should be lost 
before my return home ; but that bishop Filenius had 
made a representation of the matter to the clergy in the 
diet, who had given him no answer, and much less con- 
sented to any confiscation ; and that his motion was not 
accepted, or minuted down in the proceedings of the 
diet ; and consequently that none of the clerical order in 
the diet bore any part in it, except bishop Filenius, with 
whom I had some dispute, as he insisted on their being 
revised before they were delivered, and he will not hear 
mentioned, that the revisal of this book, which is not 
theological, but chiefly moral, is unnecessary, and con- 
sequently absurd. Such mode of proceeding would pre- 
pare the way for a seculum obscurum in Sweden. Never- 
theless, this behavior of the bishop cannot affect me in 
the least, as I have brought over thirty-eight copies of this 
work with me, and had sent over five of them before, the 
half of which number I have delivered and sent to the 
bishops, to the different orders of the diet, to the senators, 
and to the royal family, and when the rest in like manner 
are distributed, there will be more than sufficient for 
Stockholm. I think of sending those that are stopped at 
Norkjoping, abroad, where they are much desired. 

I send herewith a little treatise, printed in London, 



136 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

entitled, De Commercio Animce et Corporis, which has 
been sent to the societies and universities in England and 
France. Please to peruse the latter part of it: most 
likely it is also translated into English. I gave only to 
bishop Benzelstierna that little treatise, entitled, A Brief 
Exposition of the Doctrine of the New Church, enjoining 
him at the same time, in the strictest manner, to take care 
not to let it pass into other people's hands, on account 
that there are but very few in Sweden, whose understand- 
ings are receptive of true theology, and therefore the light 
that is given from the Word of God, is not received by 
them. As for instance, what is said in Rom. chap. iii. 
28, and in Galat. chap. ii. 16, where an imputative faith 
of the merits of Christ is not meant, but real faith in Jesus, 
which is a faith from him and in him. Neither are the 
works of the law of the Decalogue meant in those places, 
but the Mosaic law, proper to the Jews. Neither is Rom. 
iv. to be understood of the imputation of the present 
church, &c. nor will they be enlightened by such Scrip- 
ture texts as concern the Son of God ; that by the Son of 
God is not to be understood any Son of God from eternity, 
but the Son of God conceived in time from Jehovah God, 
and born of the Virgin Mary, according to the very words 
themselves, in Luke, chap. i. 32, 35. Matt. chap. iii. 17. 
chap. xvii. 5. John xx. 31. 1 Epistle of John, chap. v. 20, 
21, and other places. This is likewise agreeable to the 
apostolic creed, where no other Son of God is mentioned, 
and consequently the primitive church knew of no other. 

That a Son of God from eternity was inserted in the 
Nicine and Athanasian creeds, arose from this, that they 
found no other way to refute and banish the Arian errors. . 
See the Apostolic Creed. I therefore adhere to the 
apostolic church. 

To call on God the Savior, can in nowise be denied 
throughout Christendom, and still less by the Lutherans 
who abide by the Augustine confession, page 19 ; and 
also in the Apology, page 226; and moreover, that in 
Christ man is God, and God, man ; as also many other 
particulars already mentioned. The Formula Concordics 
likewise explains a Divine Trinity in those that are re- 
newed through faith, page 695, Apol. page 130 ; but what 



APPENDIX. 137 

in reality is not a true explanation of the Divine Trinity in 
God the Savior, as shall be fully demonstrated in that 
work, which I intend laying before the public within the 
space of two years. In the mean time, the Brief Expo- 
sition, as a forerunner of it, will prepare the way for its 
reception. This treatise has been dispersed throughout 
Christendom, Sweden excepted, and that for this reason ; 
because true Divinity exists there only in its wintry state : 
and, in general, towards the north pole, there is a greater 
length of spiritual night than in the southern parts ; and 
therefore those who stand in that darkness may be sup- 
posed to kick and stumble more than others against every 
thing in the New Church, which is the produce of an 
unprejudiced reason and understanding ; yet, at the same 
time, we are to admit of some exceptions to this observa- 
tion in the ecclesiastical order. I apply to myself what 
our Savior says to his disciples, Matt. chap. x. 16. 

The remarkable particulars related concerning your 
wife, in her dying hours, were wrought through the im- 
pression of two clergymen, who so directed and employed 
her thoughts in conversation, as to effect a conjunction 
with such spirits as she then spoke of. In the hour of 
death, it happens, at times, to some people, that they are 
in a state of spirit. The spirits, who first spoke through 
her, were of the dragon's society, that were cast out of 
heaven, agreeable to the prediction in the Revelations, 
chapter xii. They are thence become so filled with 
enmity and hatred towards our Savior, and consequently 
towards his holy Word, and all that belongs to the New 
Church, that they cannot even bear to hear the name of 
Christ mentioned. When the sphere of the Lord, pro- 
ceeding from the heavens, lights on them, they become 
as mad, and in a terrible rage ; and directly seek to hide 
themselves in holes and caverns, as spoken of in the 
Revelations, chap. vi. 16. Your deceased wife was with 
me yesterday, and informed me of a variety of things 
concerning what she thought, and had spoken to you her 
husband, and to the clergymen, the seducers. Were I 
at this time near you, I could relate a number of things 
on this head, which will not admit of being sent in wri- 
ting. I remain, &c. .Emanuel Swedenborg. 
12 



138 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

P. S. This letter may be shown to others, and also 
copied, or printed, if deemed necessary. Two honorable 
friends in London have sent me an invitation there, and 
I have almost resolved on going there the ensuing spring. 

I have been told, that in Gottenburg a letter has been 
printed, which mentions, that I was ordered in Paris to 
depart from that city, which is a direct falsehood : Count 
Creutz, our envoy in Paris, can certify. E. S. 

It appears that Swedenborg left Paris, a short time 
before this letter was written. The object of his going 
to Paris was to have his ' True Christian Religion ' 
printed at that place ; but it was necessary that the work 
should be submitted to censors. M. Chevreuil, then cen- 
sor-royal and doctor of the Sorbonne, who was appointed 
to examine it, told him, after having read it, that a tacit 
permission would be granted him, on condition, as was cus- 
tomary in such cases, that the title should say, printed at 
London, or at Amsterdam. But Swedenborg would not 
consent to that duplicity ; and the work, therefore, was 
not printed at Paris. This anecdote was related by M. 
Chevreuil himself, to a highly respectable member of the 
New Church in England. Swedenborg's departure from 
Paris, without accomplishing the purpose of his visit 
there, probably gave rise to the report alluded to in the 
postscript to the above letter. 

LETTER HI. 

Stockholm, Feb. 1767. 
Dear Sir : By your friend, I have been asked several 
questions, to which be pleased to receive the following 
as an answer : 

1. My opinion concerning the writings of Behmen and 

L ?* I have never read them. [Then follow some 

remarks upon dogmatic and systematic theology, which 
have been quoted before. See page 9.] 

2. How soon the New Church is to be expected ? — Ans- 
wer. The Lord is preparing at this time a new heaven 
of such as believe in him, and acknowledge him to be 
the true God of heaven and earth, and also look to him 
in their lives, which is to shun evil and do good ; because 

* Supposed to be Lavater, who has written some works on the- 
ological subjects, and with whom Swedenborg corresponded. 



APPENDIX. 139 

from that heaven shall the New Jerusalem, mentioned in 
Rev. Chap. xxi. 2, descend. I daily see spirits and 
angels, from ten to twenty thousand, descending and 
ascending, who are set in order. By degrees as that 
heaven is formed, the New Church likewise begins and 
increases. The universities in Christendom are now first 
instructed, from whence will come ministers; because 
the new heaven has no influence over the old clergy, who 
conceive themselves to be too well skilled in the doctrine 
of justification by faith alone. 

3. Respecting the promised treatise concerning infinity, 
omnipotence, and omnipresence ? — Answer. There are 
many things interspersed in the Angelic Wisdom concern- 
ing Divine Providence, on these subjects, at No. 46 to 54 
and 157. Also in the treatise on Angelic Wisdom con- 
cerning Divine Love and Divine Wisdom, No. 4, 17, 19, 
24, 44, 69, 72, 76, 106, 156, 318, and in the Apocalypse 
Revealed, No. 961, and these will be still further treated 
on in the Mysteries of Angelic Wisdom concerning Con- 
jugial Love, but forasmuch as to write a separate treatise 
on these divine attributes, without the assistance of some- 
thing to support them, would occasion too high an eleva- 
tion of the thoughts, I have therefore treated on these 
subjects in a series with other things, which fall within 
the understanding. 

I have with pleasure perused your new Essay on the 
Gospel ; * concerning the first advent, there are fine 
interpretations. Here I shall mention the signification 
of a manger, of the baptism of John, and of Elias. A 
manger signifies instruction from the Word, because 
mules and horses signify the understanding of the Word. 
(See Apoc. Rev. No. 298,) and in a manger is their 
nutrition; that there was no room in the inn, signifies, 
that there was no place of instruction in Jerusalem ; 
wherefore it is said to the shepherds, who signify the 
church to come, ' This shall be the sign unto you, ye 
shall find the Babe lying in a manger.' Luke ii. 12. 

* This excellent work of Dr. Beyer, consists of homilies or dis- 
courses for every Sunday throughout the year, written on the 
principles of the New Church ; and in Sweden, by those who 
receive the doctrine, is greatly esteemed; although the author 
was much persecuted on that account, and the book afterwards 
prohibited. 



140 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

The baptism of John prepared the heavens, that the 
Jewish people might subsist when God himself should 
appear among them ; and John as well as Elias, who was 
the chief of the prophets, signifies, all the prophecies in 
the Old Testament concerning the Lord and his advent. 

Since here (in Stockholm) they now begin to think 
more of charity than before, and to be persuaded that faith 
and charity cannot be separated, therefore faith alone 
begins also to be called the Moravian faith. I remain, &c. 

Emanuel Swedenborg. 

letter iv. 

Dear Sir : In my last letter the shortness of time would 
not permit me to give an answer with respect to the rela- 
tion of the boy of Skara, which, if true, proves the com- 
munication of spirits with man. A genteel and rich 
family here in Stockholm are desirous of taking the boy 
into their house, and to educate him in every branch he 
may wish to learn. If the youth has an inclination and 
could have an opportunity of the company of some person 
coming this way, the family would be very happy ; and in 
that case you will be pleased to furnish thirty dollars for 
the expenses on the journey, and to give him my direc- 
tion, that I may conduct him to the house. I will pass 
in silence his vision of the white serpents, which he had 
in his tender infancy, especially as it may admit of being 
explained in different senses, but his knowing the use of 
herbs and the cure of certain diseases, if really the case, 
is not from the reason, that such diseases and cures exist 
in the other life among spirits and angels ; but there exist 
spiritual diseases and spiritual uses, which correspond 
with the natural diseases and cures in this world, so that 
the correspondences effect such things when they happen. 
And as there are no natural diseases among the spirits in 
the spiritual world, there are neither any hospitals; but 
instead of them there are spiritual mad-houses, in which 
are those who theoretically denied God, and in others, 
such as practically did the same. Those who in the 
world were idiots, at their arrival in the other world are 
also foolish and idiots; but being divested of their exter- 
nals, and their internals opened, as is the case with them 



APPENDIX. 141 

all, they acquire an understanding agreeable to their 
former quality and life, inasmueh as the actual follies and 
madness dwell in the external natural man, and not in 
the internal spiritual. Emanuel Swedenborg. 

LETTER V. 

Amsterdam, April 8, 1766. 
Dear Sir : I have now at length arrived at the end of 
the Apocalypse, and send you, sir, eight copies thereof, 
two bound, and six in sheets, which you will please to 
dispose of in the following manner : one copy for your- 
self, one for the bishop, one for the dean, one for Dr. 
Rosen, one for the mayor, Mr. Petterson, and one for the 
library ; the other two you may lend out to your friends. 
At the conclusion of every chapter there are memorable 
relations separated from the text by asterics, which you 
will please to read over first, whereby a fundamental 
knowledge will be acquired of the miserable state to 
which the reformed churches are reduced by the doctrine 
of faith alone. I am now going from this place for Eng- 
land, where some disturbance has most likely arisen, as 
the bishops of England are strongly pointed out in the 
memorable relations, but necessity required it. 

I remain, &c. Emanuel Swedenborg. 

LETTER VI. 

Amsterdam, April 15, 1766. 

Dear Sir : With regard to the writings of St. Paul, and 
the other apostles, I have not given them a place in my 
Arcana Coelestia, because they are dogmatic writings 
merely, and not written in the style of the Word, as are 
those of the Prophets, of David, of the Evangelists, and 
the Revelation of St. John.* 

The style of the Word consists throughout in corres- 
pondences, and thence effects an immediate communica- 
tion with heaven ; but the style of these dogmatic writings 
is quite different, having indeed communication with 
heaven, but only mediate or indirect. 

The reason why the apostles wrote in this style, was, 

* See the Doctrine of the New Jerusalem concerning the Sa- 
cred Scripture, No. 113. 
12* 



142 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

that the New Christian Church was then to begin through 
them, consequently the same style as is used in the Word 
would not have been proper for such doctrinal tenets, 
which required plain and simple language, suited to the 
capacities of all readers.* 

Nevertheless the writings of the apostles are very good 
books for the church, inasmuch as they insist on the doc- 
trine of charity and faith thence derived as strongly as 
the Lord himself has done in the Gospels, and in the 
Revelation of St. John, as will appear evidently to any 
one who studies these writings with attention. 

In the Apocalypse Revealed I have proved, No. 417, 
that the words of Paul in Rom. iii. 28, are quite misun- 
derstood ; and thus the doctrine of justification by faith 
alone, which at present constitutes the theology of the 
reformed churches, is built on an entirely false founda- 
tion. Emanuel Swedenborg. 

LETTER VII. 

Amsterdam, Marcli 15, 1769. 
Dear Sir : I had the pleasure of receiving yours of 
the 23d of Nov. 1768. The reason why I did not answer 
it, was, that I would postpone it until a little work was 
published, entitled, A brief Exposition of the Doctrine 
of the New Church, signified in the Revelations by the 
New Jerusalem, in which work, are fully shown the errors 
of the hitherto conceived doctrine of justification by faith 
alone, and the imputation of the righteousness, or merits 
of Christ. This treatise I have sent to all the clergy 
throughout Holland, and intend to convey it to the most 
eminent in Germany. I have been informed that they 
have attentively perused it, and that some of them have 
already discovered the truth, and that others do not know 
which way to turn themselves ; for what is written therein 
is perfectly convincing that the doctrine above-mentioned 
is the cause, that no theology now exists in Christendom. 
I intend sending you by the first ship twelve copies of 

* This seems to indicate the necessity of passing through the 
different degrees of order or perfection, so that man from an unre- 
generated state must not expect at once to be translated into the 
celestial, but must pass the natural and spiritual. 



APPENDIX. 143 

this work, which you will please to dispose of in the fol- 
lowing manner : one copy to the bishop, one to the dean, 
and the rest, except your own, to the professors in theol- 
ogy (at the colleges) and the clergymen in the city, since 
no one can more rightly judge of the same, than he who 
has fundamentally received the mysteries of justification. 
After this little work is perused, be pleased, kindly to 
request the dean to declare his opinion thereof in the 
consistory. All those that can, and are willing to see 
truth, will accede. 

I am now much inquired of respecting the New 
Church, when it will take place 1 — to which I answer, 
by degrees, as the doctrine of justification and imputation 
is extirpated ; which probably may be effected by this 
work. It is known that the Christian Church did not 
take place immediately after the ascension of Christ, but 
increased successively, which is also understood by these 
words in the Revelations : ' And the woman flew into the 
desert, into her place, where she is nourished a time, 
times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.' 
Chap. xii. 14. The serpent or dragon, is that doctrine. 

In about a month I am going from hence to Paris, and 
that with a design, which beforehand must not be made 
public. 

With regard to the visions of several mentioned in 
your letter, they are nothing but fantastic visions. With 
my respectful compliments to the bishop, &c. 

I remain, &c. Emanuel Swedenborg. 

LETTER VIII. 

Stockholm, Dec. 29, 1769. - 

Dear Sir : I received yours of Dec. 2d this day, also 
the printed letter, which at first caused a clamor among 
a great part of the clerical body; yet clamor does no 
harm, being like the ferment in wine when fermenting, 
after which it is purified ; for unless what is wrong is 
brought into a state of ventilation, and is thus rejected, 
what is right cannot be discerned and received. I have 
indeed been informed of the proceedings of the deputies 
in the clerical assembly of the diet, but I did not stir one 
step to defend that cause ; knowing that the Lord himself, 



144 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

our Savior, defends his church, particularly against those 
who refuse to enter through the right door into the sheep- 
fold, that is, into the church and thus into heaven ; such 
are called thieves and robbers. The Lord himself de- 
clares, ' He that entereth not by the door into the sheep- 
fold, but climbeth up some other way, is a thief and a 
robber ; I am the door, if any man enters by me, he shall 
be saved, and he shall find pasture.' John x. 1, 7, 8, 9. 
I have moreover been told by an angel from the Lord, 
that I may rest securely upon my arm in the night, by 
which is meant that night, in which the world is now 
immersed, as to what relates to the church. 

I have also read the appendix to the Spy, No. 48, and 
in the concluding expressions I perceive the interior sense 
of the author, which is easily discovered. 

With respect to the two clergymen whom your deceased 
wife has spoken of, she has not mentioned their names, 
for which reason neither can I mention them. It is well 
known, that among the clergy there are also erroneous 
spirits, in this country as well as in other parts of the 
world. When she had related this among other things, she 
departed to the dragon spirits (draconicos,) who on the 
day of her death first spoke through her, and she is still 
with them. 

An extract from the records by the Dean (Ekebom) of 
December 6th, has also been communicated to me, in 
which he still continues his usual indecent invectives, 
which I may consider as barkings, against which we must 
not attempt to take up a stone to cast at them and to 
drive them away. 

I am glad that you are translating into Swedish the 
little work of the intercourse between the soul and body. 
It has been very well received abroad in all places, as 
well as by many intelligent persons here in Stockholm. 

Emanuel Swedenborg. 

letter ix. 

Stockholm, April 30, 1770. 
Dear Sir : I received your letter dated the 18th March, 
together with a copy of that which you delivered to his 
majesty. You mention, also, that a report has arrived at 



APPENDIX. 145 

Gottenburg concerning a resolution which was to have 
been proposed in the senate ; but that since the copy of 
that letter which I wrote you has been communicated to 
senator Count Ekeblad, and to the great chancellor of 
justice, this matter has been brought forward again and 
terminated agreeably to the letter from the great chan- 
cellor of justice to the consistory at Gottenburg, of which 
letter I request you to send me a copy. Had the first 
proposal been established, that Swedenborgianism should 
not be spoken of, and this notwithstanding signifies the 
worship of the Lord, what would have been the result, 
but a fear in the clergy to speak about Christ and his 
protection of the human race ; for in such case they 
would have run the risk of being insulted as supporters 
of Swedenborgianism, and in consequence thereof Christ- 
ianity in Sweden would decrease and become Socinian- 
ism and finally Heathenism, which may be confirmed 
from Matthew xii. 30, and Mark ix. 40. Such would 
have been the offspring born from that first proposal. 
This is the reason, that when certain zealous clergymen 
in this city first heard the rumor thereof, that they be- 
came astonished, imagining justly that, by such a way of 
proceeding, Christianity in this country would totally 
vanish. I am informed that the bishops and many of the 
clerical order of the states at the diet expressed them- 
selves with great propriety concerning those dogmatical 
principles which were then discussed. 

What has been presented to the consistories against my 
writings not having been communicated to me, I am 
totally ignorant of what passed in the senate on that 
subject. 

I go next June to Amsterdam, where I intend to pub- 
lish the Universal Theology of the New Church; the 
worship of the Lord is the foundation therein, and if upon 
that foundation the true house or temple shall not be 
built, others will erect upon it lupanaria (brothels.) 

As to what regards the draconical spirits, they are all 
removed far towards the south, where the learned obtain 
a certain place, and every one there his cellulam or little 
chamber, wherein he confirms himself in justification by 
faith alone ; and they who have confirmed this from the 



146 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

Word of God, depart thence into a desert and so on 
further. The rest when they come out obtain no dwell- 
ings. To what place they afterwards go I do not yet 
know : in heaven there is no place for them. It befalls 
them according to the description in the Apocalypse Re- 
vealed, n. 421. But that abyss which is there described 
is now removed farther in the south, as observed before. 
I remain, &c. Emanuel Swedenborg. 

LETTER X. 

Stockholm, July 23, 1770. 
Dear Sir : As I am going in a few days to Amsterdam, 
I shall take my leave of you in this letter, hoping that 
our Savior will support you in good health, preserve you 
from farther violence, and bless your thoughts. I convey 
you herewith the copy of a letter, which I am about to 
send to the universities, as well as to the great chancellor 
of justice. Please to salute kindly Dr. Rosen, and 
I am, &c. E. S. 

Copy of a letter addressed to the Universities of Upsal, Lund, 
and Abo. 

In a few days I am going to Amsterdam, and intend 
to publish the whole Theology of the Neiv Church, the 
foundation whereof will be the worship of the Lord our 
Savior, on which foundation if no temple should now be 
built, lupanaria (brothels) would be erected. 

Now having been informed, that the religious trial, 
relative to Dr. Beyer and Dr. Rosen, in Gottenburg, was 
immediately taken up and surprisingly terminated by the 
senate, and as this may become a subject of conversation 
in many places during my absence, therefore to prevent 
any malicious judgment, which may probably proceed 
from the mouths of certain persons, arising from their 
ignorance or interior malice, it is my duty from the im- 
portance and necessity of the subject, to communicate 
what I have delivered to his majesty thereon, which is as 
follows : 

' I have been informed, by two gentlemen in the sen- 
atorial department of justice, that the senators are pon- 
tifex maximus, to which I then gave no answer, but in 
case I should still hear such assertions from them, I shall 



APPENDIX. 147 

answer, that they are not at all pontifex maximus but 
vicarius vicarii pontificis maximi ; because Christ our 
Savior is the only pontifex maximus ; the states of the 
kingdom are his vicarius, wherefore they are answerable 
to him, and the senators are the vicarious for the states ; 
because they are appointed, and that hence they are 
vicarius vicarii pontificis maximi. That the Pope of 
Rome called himself pontificem maximum, is of pride, 
because he has taken and assumed to himself all the 
power of Christ our Savior, and placed himself on his 
throne, making the people believe that he is Christ on 
earth. Every inferior pontifex or vicarius pontificis 
maximi ought to have their consistory. The states of the 
kingdom have their consistory in the ecclesiastical divis- 
ion of the states, and the senators have their consistory, 
particularly at the universities ; but in the determination 
of this matter they have acknowledged the consistory of 
Gottenburg to be their consistory, and have probably 
assented verbatim to the opinions of that consistory, not 
being apprised that this was the most important and the 
most necessary subject that has been brought forward 
these 1700 years in any council or senate, because it 
concerns the New Church, which is predicted by the 
Lord in Daniel and in the Apocalypse, and agrees with 
what our Lord says in Matthew xxiv. 22. 

' I have not yet received the answer of the senate. It 
has been once presented, but resolved that it should rest 
till the return of those senators who were present on the 
former occasion.' 

NO. VII. 

Sundry Letters. 

LETTER TO GEN. CHRISTIAN TUXEN. 

Stockholm, May 1. [year not mentioned.] 
Dear Sir : I received your letter of March 4th, by 
Lieut. Tuxen, your son, who did me the pleasure of pay- 
ing me a visit; my duty demanded a speedy answer, but 
as I waited for the conclusion of the affair at Gottenburg 
in order to communicate something of it to you, I have 
from time to time postponed it. I have suffered this 



148 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

matter, and all the invectives used against me at Gotten- 
burg, to come to its end : and I have since sent the 
chancellor of justice, and the senator Ekeblad a copy of 
the annexed, by means of which I effected a change in 
the business, of which I shall inform you some other time. 
The affair took its rise at Gottenburg from the dean ; the 
deputies of that city having been instructed to complain 
of me and Dr. Beyer to the diet : they pushed matters as 
far as they could, but would never have effected any 
thing, unless the bishop, Filenius, who was then president 
of the clerical order, had taken upon himself the man- 
agement of it, and in a crafty manner gained over some 
members of the order, which the bishop first did from a 
secret dislike, but afterwards out of inveteracy. For this 
reason a committee was appointed by order of the clergy 
on the Swedenborgian cause. Whilst they were delib- 
erating on this subject, I was not suffered to be present, 
but it was all carried on clandestinely; yet the committee, 
(which consisted of bishops and professors) found the 
matter quite different from what bishop Filenius had 
represented it; they terminated it in my favor, and in 
their report to the order expressed themselves in regard 
to myself very handsomely and reasonably. But thus far 
bishop Filenius prevailed, that a memorial should be pre- 
sented to his Majesty and council, that the chancellor of 
justice might appease the troubles arisen at Gottenburg. 
In consequence of this, a letter was addressed by the 
chancellor to the consistories to desire their opinions ; 
and this occasioned the subject to be afterwards agitated 
in the chamber of council for two days ; and it was then 
I presented the memorial annexed, which has also been 
discussed, and concluded in such manner, that the chan- 
cellor of justice wrote to the consistory of Gottenburg, 
which is not against me, and the particulars of which I 
shall another time communicate. I knew nothing of all 
this, whilst it was agitating; but enjoying the calm in 
my chamber, I let the storm rage without as much as it 
pleased; for it was agreed both at the diet, and in the 
council, not to touch my person. I send you the enclosed 
copy, which I also presented to the council, in order that 
it may be communicated to the counts Bernstorf and 
Thott, whereby they may see the state of affairs, lest the 



APPENDIX. 149 

printed protocols of Gottenburg, which are rilled with 
invectives, should operate against the good opinion they 
before had of me. If the enclosed could also be trans- 
lated into German, and printed in Hamburgh, it would 
give me pleasure. 

In the month of June next I intend to set out for Am- 
sterdam, where I am to publish the Universal Theology 
of the New Church. If the ship then remains some time 
off Elseneur, I shall have the pleasure of coming to your 
house, to wish yourself, your dear lady and children, all 
possible happiness. I remain in all affection, familiarity 
and friendship, sir, your ob't. servant, 

Emanuel Swedenborg. 

letter to mr. oettinger, superintendent of the 
royal mines in sweden. 

Stockholm, Sept. 23, 1766. 

Dear Sir : I arrived this day from my voyage to 
England and Holland, and received the two letters you 
sent me, one of which is dated the 13th of October, 1765, 
and for both of which I return you many thanks. There 
are five treatises under the title, Ex Auditis et Visis, 
that is, from what I have personally heard and seen 
respecting them, and are as follow: 1. The treatise on 
Heaven and Hell. 2. Of the New Jerusalem, and its 
Heavenly Doctrine. 3. Of the Last Judgment. 4. Of 
the White Horse mentioned in the Revelations. 5. Of 
the Worlds in the Universe. 

I this year published the work, entitled, ' The Revela- 
tions Revealed,' which was promised in the treatise on 
the Last Judgment, and from all which writings it may 
be plainly seen that I converse with angels. Every per- 
son may see, that by the New Jerusalem is meant a new 
church or congregation, the doctrines and articles of 
whose faith cannot shine in their true splendor, and give 
light to others, without the divine aid, because only 
figuratively described in the Revelations, that is to say, 
according to correspondence ; and the true doctrine of 
it cannot be published through the world, but by such 
unto whom the needful revelation is made. I can 
sacredly and solemnly declare, that the Lord himself has 
13 



150 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

been seen of me, and that he has sent me to do what I 
do, and for such purpose he has opened and enlightened 
the interior part of my soul, which is my spirit, so that I 
can see what is in the spiritual world, and those that are 
therein ; and this privilege has now been continued to 
me for twenty-two years. But in the present state of 
infidelity, can the most solemn oath make such a thing 
credible or to be believed by any ? Yet such as have 
received true Christian light and understanding, will be 
convinced of the truth contained in my writings, which 
are particularly evident in the book of the Revelations 
Revealed. Who, indeed, has hitherto known any thing 
of consideration of the true spiritual sense and meaning 
of the Word of God, the spiritual world, or of heaven and 
hell; the nature of the life of man, and state of souls after 
the decease of the body? Is it supposed, that these and 
other things of a like consequence are to be eternally 
hidden from Christians? That many very important 
particulars relating to them are at this day revealed for 
the first time, is done in regard to the New Jerusalem, 
and for the sake of the New Church, because the mem- 
bers thereof are endowed with a capacity to apprehend 
them, which others might also have, were it not for their 
weak unbelief of the possibility of such things being made 
known to any, and by them to the world. These writ- 
ings of mine do not come under the term of prediction, 
but revelations. Live well, and continue so to do. 

I remain, &c. Emanuel Swedenborg. 

LETTERS TO THE CONSISTORY AT GOTTENBURG, IN 
ANSWER TO DR. EKEBON's DEPOSITION AGAINST SWE- 
DENBORG. 

Dr. Ekebon's reflections have been communicated to 
me, which he delivered in the Consistory, relative to the 
doctrines of the New Church, which have been declared 
to the world in the Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, and 
the Apocalypse Revealed, by our Savior Jesus Christ, 
through me his servant ; and, forasmuch as I find, that 
the doctor's reflections'are full of reproaches against me, 
as well as occasionally laden with untruths, I deem it too 



APPENDIX. 151 

prolix to reply particularly to them, especially as I per- 
ceive they have been written by a person who gives no 
bridle to his tongue, and who has no eyes in his forehead, 
to be able to see what is to be found in those writings, 
conformable to the Word of God, and to an enlightened 
understanding; such are the characters whom our Lord 
describes in Matt. chap. xiii. verses 13, 14, 15. I shall 
only notice the following words from the doctor's re- 
flections : ' That this doctrine is in the highest degree 
heretical, and in points the most tender to every Christian, 
Socinian.' This doctrine cannot be called heretical, 
forasmuch as in it is acknowledged and confirmed, I. 
The Divine Trinity, see the Doctrine of the New Jeru- 
salem concerning the Lord, n. 55, seq. and Apocalypse 
Revealed, No. 961, 962. II. The Sanctity of the Holy 
Scripture, especially as to its literal sense, see the Doc- 
trine of the New Jerusalem, concerning the Sacred 
Scriptures, n. 72, seq. n. 37, seq. n. 50, seq. and in the 
Apocalypse Revealed, n. 200, 89S, 911. III. A Christ- 
ian Life, see the Doctrine of Life for the New Jerusa- 
lem, from the precepts of the decalogue, from the begin- 
ning to the end. IV. The Union of Faith and Charity, 
see the Apocalypse Revealed, in various places; and V. 
That a faith in God must be directed towards our Savior, 
according to his own declaration ; John, chap iii. verses 
15, 16 ; chap. vi. verse 40 ; chap. xi. verses 25, 26 ; 
chap. xx. verse 31 ; and especially, John, chap. iii. verses 
35, 36 ; and Colos. chap. ii. verse 9. Likewise from the 
Formula Concordiae, ' That in Jesus Christ, God is Man, 
and Man is God, 5 page 607, 762, 763, 765, 840, seq. 
' That his human nature has been exalted to the divine 
power and majesty/ page 337, seq. 607, 608, seq. 774, 
833, seq. 844, 847, 852, 861, 863, 869. 'That unto 
Jesus Christ was given all power in heaven and earth,' 
page 775, 776, 780, 833. ' That also as to his human 
nature he fills all things by his immediate presence, 5 
pages 337, 375, 600, 608, 611, 738, 768, 783, 784, 785, 
786. App. 149, 150, with many more passages : see the 
edition, Leipsic, 1765. Agreeably to these references, 
and in obedience to what the Lord himself teaches in 
John, chap. xiv. verse 16, faith in God must be directed 



152 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

towards the Savior himself. From this alone it may be 
concluded, how undeservedly and barefacedly this doc- 
trine has been attacked with such opprobrious language, 
and that it could not have been said by a man of a sound 
heart, e That it is full of the most intolerable fundamental 
errors, seducing, heretical, captious, and in the highest 
degree to be rejected.' This flood of blasphemy is poured 
out upon the world, although the doctor allows in his 
Reflections, n. 2, that he never read my writings, in the 
following words : — ' I do not know assessor Swedenborg's 
religious system, nor shall I take pains to come at the 
knowledge of it. I was told that it may chiefly be learned 
from the following works, which he has published, viz. 
concerning the New Jerusalem, concerning Faith, and 
concerning the Lord; works which I do not possess, 
neither have I read or seen them.' Is not this to be 
blind in the forehead, but to have eyes behind, and even 
these covered with a film ? To see and judge of writings 
in such a manner, and in such like terms, can any secular 
or ecclesiastical judge regard otherwise than as criminal 1 
The book entitled, the Doctrine of the New Church, 
mentioned by the doctor, may be had at Gottenburg, so 
that if he had pleased, he might have had a sight of it. 
The doctor blasphemes likewise the spiritual sense of the 
Word, which our Savior at this time has given to be re- 
vealed, as if the same blasphemies would prove a hind- 
rance to the Sacred Scriptures, which, even according to 
his decision, still continue to contain the principles of 
the knowledge of faith, religion, and the revealed theol- 
ogy; although in the Doctrine of the New Jerusalem 
concerning the Sacred Scriptures, it is fully shown and 
demonstrated, I. That the sense of the letter of the Word 
is the basis, continent, and foundation of its spiritual 
sense, n. 27 to 36. II. That the Divine Truth in the 
sense of the letter of the Word is in its fulness, its sanc- 
tity, and its power, n. 37 to 49. III. That the doctrine 
of the church is to be deduced from the literal sense of 
the Word, and to be confirmed thereby, n. 50 to 61. 
IV. That by the literal sense of the Word, there is a 
conjunction with the Lord, and consociation with the 
angels, n. 62 to 68; and further concerning the spiritual 



APPENDIX. 153 

sense of the Word, and its invaluable uses, n. 5 to 26, 
and Apocalypse Revealed, n. 200, 898, 911, and in a 
thousand other places. Respecting the other point, viz, 
the charging those doctrines with Socinianism, the same 
is a horrid blasphemy and untruth ; forasmuch as Socin- 
ianism signifies a negation of the divinity of our Lord 
Jesus Christ, when in fact his divinity, in this doctrine 
of the New Church, is principally confirmed and proved, 
and that the Savior has so fully completed the reconcili- 
ation and redemption of man, that without his coming no 
man could have been saved, see Apoc. Rev. n. 67, and 
in many other places, in consequence whereof, I consider 
the word Socinian to be a scoffing and a diabolical revil- 
ing. This, with the rest of the doctor's reflections, may 
be considered in the same sense as the flood, which the 
dragon cast out of his mouth after the woman, that he 
might cause her to be swallowed up by the flood, during 
the time that she was yet in the wilderness, Apocalypse, 
chap. xii. 15. And it may come to pass, that the same 
which is mentioned in verse 17, may likewise take place, 
1 and the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went 
to make war with the remnant of her seed, who kept the 
commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus 
Christ.' That the New Jerusalem signifies the New 
Church, which is to be the bride and the wife of the 
Lamb, see Apocalypse Revealed, n. 880, 881 ; and that 
this same church, undoubtedly, is coming, because the 
Lord himself has predicted it, Apocalypse chap. xxi. and 
xxii. ; see likewise Zechariah, chap. xiv. verses 7, 8, 9 ; 
and in the last chapter of the Apocalypse, in these words, 
' I Jesus, have sent mine angel, to testify unto you these 
things in the churches. I am the root and race of David, 
the bright and morning star ; and the spirit and the bride 
say come, and let him who hears say come, and let him 
who is willing receive the water of life, gratis,' verses 16, 
17. Emanuel Swedenborg. 

Amsterdam, April 15, 1769. 

P. S. I request this letter may be delivered to the 
venerable Consistory, and a copy of it to the right reverend 
bishop. 

*13 



154 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

N. B. The then bishop Eric Lamberg, president of 
the Consistory, was at that time at a diet in Norrkjopping, 

Swedenborg afterwards addressed another letter to the 
Consistory, dated May 22d, in the same year; from 
which we give only an extract : 

' Before I set out on my journey to Paris, which I 
purpose to do next week, I think proper to make the 
following addition to my foregoing reply to Dr. Ekebon's 
reflections. It was said therein, that I have written, first, 
that the Holy Scriptures have hitherto been ill and sinis- 
trously explained , Apoc. Rev. n. 1, which is entirely 
untrue, as there is nothing of the kind to be found in the 
passage quoted. Secondly, that there is no satisfaction 
given for the sins of the world, which is also entirely 
untrue. Thirdly, that I rail at justification by faith 
alone. This is true, I allow, because faith alone is faith 
separated from charity, or from good works, and faith 
separated from charity has been rejected by the imperial 
judgment at Stockholm, and afterwards by the university 
at Upsal, and probably likewise by those at Lund and 
Abo. The doctor is determined not to know, that good 
works, which are said freely and spontaneously to follow 
faith, and are called the fruits of faith, the works of the 
Spirit, and the works of grace, and which are performed 
in a state of justification, have, agreeably to the Formula 
Concordise, no connexion with faith, and accordingly do 
not contribute at all to salvation : nay, that it would be 
detrimental, if they should combine and mix themselves 
with faith, and that which is without connexion, is in 
itself separate. Among the quotations from the Formula 
Concordise concerning the divinity of Christ, there are 
some numbers in my former reply erroneously set down, 
viz. 337, 375, ought to be 737, 775, for which reason I 
adjoin herewith a more distinct and copious extract from 
the Formula Concordige, from the Leipsic edition, 1756." 

Then follow a great number of extracts, which occupy 
the remainder of the letter. 

NO. VIII. 

The following is the original advertisement by the 
printer of the second volume of the Arcana Ccelestia. It 



APPENDIX. 155 

was published in parts, each containing one chapter, and 
accompanied, in separate numbers, by an English trans- 
lation. 

Paternoster Row, February 5, 1750. 
Advertisement, by John Lewis, Printer and Publisher, 
in Paternoster Row, near Cheapside, London. Be it 
known unto all the Learned and Curious, that this day 
is published, the First Number of Arcana Coslestia, 
or Heavenly Secrets, which are in the Sacred Scrip- 
ture, or Word of the Lord, laid open ; as they are found 
in the Sixteenth Chapter of Genesis : together with the 
ivonderful things that have been seen in the World of 
Spirits, and in the Heaven of Angels. 
This work is intended to be such an exposition of the 
whole Bible as was never attempted in any language 
before. The author is a learned foreigner, who wrote 
and printed the first volume of the same work but last 
year, all in Latin, which may be seen at my shop in 
Paternoster Row, as above-mentioned. 

And now the second volume is printing both in 
Latin and English ; to be published in cheap numbers, 
that the public may have it in an easier manner, in either 
tongue, than in whole volumes. 

It must be confessed that this nation abounds with 
a variety of commentaries and expositions on the Holy 
Bible ; yet when we consider what an inexhaustible fund 
of knowledge the Sacred Scripture contains, the import- 
ance of the subjects it treats of, and the vast concern 
every man has in those things they relate and recommend, 
we may cease to wonder that so many ingenious pens 
have been employed in sounding the depths of this vast 
ocean ; and he must be a very dull writer indeed, who 
does not find a pretty large number of readers of any 
work he may publish of this kind. I would be far from 
depreciating the merit of any man's performance, nay, 
I will allow, that it is owing to the labors of learned and 
pious men, in their disquisitions after truth in the Bible, 
that we of this kingdom have been enabled to discern 
truth from error, and to know more of the mind and will 
of God in his Word, than the priests of Rome were willing 



156 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

we should. Yet give me leave to add, that these Sacred 
Writings are capable of speaking to the heart and under- 
standing of man, by more ways than have been thought 
of or put in practice: and he who can discover new 
treasures in these sacred mines, and produce from them 
such rich jewels as were never yet seen by the eye of 
man, will undoubtedly challenge our strictest attention, 
and deserve encouragement in his pious labors. This 
then may be said of our author. He hath struck out a 
new path through this deep abyss, which no man ever 
trod before. He has left all the commentators and 
expositors to stand on their own footing'; he neither med- 
dles nor interferes with any of them ; his thoughts are all 
his own ; and the ingenious and sublime turn he has 
given to every thing in the Scripture, he has copied from 
no man ; and therefore, even in this respect, he hath 
some title to the regard of the ingenious and learned 
world. 

It is true, when a reader comes to peruse his work, if 
he expects to understand him with a slight and cursory 
reading, he will find himself greatly mistaken ; his 
thoughts are too sublime and lofty to be surveyed with a 
weak or a wanton eye ; his language is quite different 
from the common modes of speech ; and his sense is 
sometimes so deep and profound, as not to be readily 
apprehended by a common understanding. Whoever, 
therefore, takes this book in hand, and finds passages in 
it not easy intelligible, let him not throw it by as a thing 
of no value, nor content himself with a bare perusal ; but 
let him read it over and over again ; let him study the drift 
and design of the author ; and I will answer for it, that 
the more and oftener he reads it, the more instruction and 
delight he will receive from it. The author has a depth, 
which if once farthomed (and it is not unfathomable) will 
yield the noblest repast to a pious mind. But if any one 
imagines that I say this to puff a book, in the sale of 
which my interest is so nearly concerned, any gentleman 
is welcome to peruse it at my shop, and to purchase it or 
not, as his own judgment shall direct him. 

Nothing recommends a book more effectually to the 
public than the eminence and credit of its author ; nothing 



APPENDIX. 157 

is more notorious, than that a weak performance, if it 
appears under a great name, shall be better received in 
the world than the most sublime and ingenious produc- 
tions of an obscure person ; so that it is not merit but 
prejudice that generally governs the judgment of men. 

Though the author of Arcana Codestia is undoubtedly 
a very learned and great man, and his works highly 
esteemed by the literati, yet he is no less distinguished 
for his modesty than his great talents, so that he will not 
suffer his name to be made public. But though I am 
positively forbid to discover that, yet I hope he will ex- 
cuse me if I venture to mention his benign and generous 
qualities. How he bestowed his time and labors in 
former years, I am not certainly informed; (though I 
have heard by those who have been long acquainted with 
him, that they were employed in the same manner as I 
am going to relate :) but what I have been an eye-witness 
to, I can declare with certain truth ; and therefore I do 
aver, that this gentleman, with indefatigable pains and 
labor, spent one whole year in studying and writing the 
first volume of Arcana Codestia, was at the expense of 
two hundred pounds to print it, and also advanced two 
hundred pounds more for the printing of this second 
volume; and when he had done this, he gave express 
orders that all the money that should arise in the sale of 
this large work should be given towards the charge of the 
propagation of the Gospel. He is so far from desiring 
to make a gain of his labors, that he will not receive 
one farthing back of the four hundred pounds he hath 
expended; and for that reason his works will come ex- 
ceeding cheap to the public. 

I further declare I have not the least reason in the 
world to believe him a bigot to any mode or method of 
religion; I know not what community he belongs to, or 
whether he belongs to any ; if any one can guess by his 
writings, he knows where to find them. But it matters 
not what or who the person is that writes, if his writings 
are founded on truth, and agreeable to such learned men 
as are competent judges of them. The deepest and most 
learned, as well as most valuable pieces, are sometimes 
misunderstood and rejected many years, even by learned 



158 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

men themselves; to instance only three performances 
out of the many that might be produced, viz. Locke on 
Human Understanding, Milton's Paradise Lost, and 
Prideaux's Connexion of the Old and New Testament. 
Those who have been conversant with books, especially 
in the trading way, cannot be ignorant of the difficulties 
which these valuable pieces have met with in making 
their way into the world : and it is as remarkable now to 
observe, how they have been called for and admired for 
many years past 

How this great work of Arcana Coblestia will suc- 
ceed in the world, is impossible at present to determine. 
If all men of learning were of the same mind with the 
ingenious and pious Mr. Penny, of Dartmouth, we need 
not fear of success ; for in his letter to me, on the publica- 
tion of the first volume, are these following words : — ' I 
have long ardently wished to see the historical part of the 
Old Testament, which seems only to regard the Jewish 
Dispensation, (and upon that account too lightly regarded 
by the major part of the Christian world,) proved to be 
as delightful, instructive, and as necessary for the know- 
ledge of Christians as the New. This Arcana Cosles- 
tia gives me the fullest satisfaction of, &c.' A copy of 
this letter was, printed at large in the Daily Advertiser of 
Christmas-day, 1749. Now this delightful, instructive, 
and necessary knowledge, cannot be expected from this 
part of Holy Writ, unless the historical part of the Old 
Testament be allegorized in some such manner as our 
Latin author has here done it. And the great and learned 
as well as the inspired St. Paul, clearly gives encourage- 
ment to this way of writing, Gal. iv. 24. And our author 
neither rejects nor disturbs the literal sense by his alle- 
gorical exposition. 

Soon after the publication of Mr. Penny's Letter be- 
fore mentioned, a grave, judicious and learned gentleman 
was pleased to call at one of the booksellers where this 
famous Latin book was appointed to be sold : and when 
he had cast his eye over part of the work, he inquired 
who the author was ; but being told that the author would 
not be known, — ' Well, (said the gentleman) I confess 
that at these years I am not fond of new acquaintance. 



APPENDIX. 159 

but should be extremely glad to have some conversation 
with him ; for (continued he, with great earnestness) I 
never saw, nor heard, nor read, of so surprising a man in 
all my days !' 

Any one of small judgment may guess at the cheapness 
of the work, when he finds that six hundred and forty 
quarto pages in Latin, of the first volume, are sold for no 
more than six shillings, unbound. But this second volume, 
which is now publishing in Latin and English, will be 
unaccountably cheap, as any one may conclude, even 
from the postage of the Latin copy from abroad : for the 
bare postage of this first number cost no less than twelve 
shillings, and now it is printed, doth make fifty-two quarto 
pages in the English tongue ; and all to be sold for no 
more than eight-pence, which is not half the price that 
such a quantity of paper and print is generally sold for. 
The postage of the second number came to eighteen 
shillings ; and that of the third amounted to one pound 
two shillings ; and yet these two numbers are to be sold 
for no more than nine-pence each ; so that from hence it 
is easy to imagine how cheap the whole will be, especially 
when printed in such a grand and pompous manner at so 
low a price. But it is the generous author's absolute 
command that it should be so, who, it is plain, wants 
neither purse nor spirit to carry on his laudable under- 
taking. 

As the copy comes from a foreign country, and as one 
number may contain nearly double the quantity of an- 
other, it is utterly impossible to fix a certain regular time 
for the publication of each. But this the public may be 
assured of, that when a fresh number is published, it 
shall be advertised in the newspapeis. Those who are 
pleased to give their orders to the news-carriers, will 
have every number as certainly as though they were ap- 
prised of the certain time of its coming out. And the 
price will be printed on the title of each English number, 
(and every Latin number will be of the same price with 
the English,) so that the readers may be sure that they 
will not be imposed upon : for sometimes the bulk of the 
book will plainly appear to be worth five times as much 
as will be required for it. 



160 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

Those who are so happy as to be well acquainted with 
the Latin tongue, will be highly delighted with the 
author's elegant and sublime language. 

NO. IX. 

The following statement is taken from the Intellectual 
Repository, for July, 1823. It is a reply to an article 
which appeared first in the English papers, and afterwards 
in many papers in this country, particularly in Boston. 
The refutation which follows, however, was not copied 
into the Boston newspapers ; and as it may be interesting 
to some people, it is here inserted. 

UNFOUNDED TALE RESPECTING THE SKULL OF SWEDEN- 
BORG, AND ITS REFUTATION. 

Many of our readers must have seen a fabrication on 
this subject, which has passed through most of the papers, 
and which gives a striking illustration of the manner in 
which the ridiculous stories that have at various times 
been put in circulation respecting this distinguished char- 
acter, may have had their origin. A few facts, in them- 
selves no way discreditable to the subject of them, and 
partially or imperfectly stated by their first relater, come 
into the possession of some caterer for the press, by whom 
they are put into a form quite different from their real 
one, to gratify the love of ridicule and of scandal so prev- 
alent among mankind. The substance of the ridiculous 
tale to which we now refer, and which first appeared in 
the Times newspaper of March 31, is as follows. Some- 
time after the interment of E. S. ' one of his disciples,' it 
is alleged, came over to England, and by bribing the sex- 
ton of the Swedish chapel near Ratcliffe Highway, ob- 
tained possession of the head of ' the departed saint > with 
which he decamped to his own country, where he pre- 
served it as a precious ' relic,' to the day of his death : 
when it coming into the possession of his relatives, with 
some papers explaining to whom it had belonged, they, 
' alarmed at the consequences which might follow such 
an unhallowed violation of the tomb,' transmitted it to this 



APPENDIX. 1C1 

country to be restored to its original situation j which, the 
story relates, was accordingly done ' with due solemnity/ 
in the presence of the elders of the church.' The tale is 
certainly sufficiently ridiculous, and calculated, with all 
who might believe it, to throw unmerited obloquy on the 
whole body of the admirers of E. S.'s writings. Letters 
correcting the misrepresentations were therefore immedi- 
ately written to several of the papers in which the story 
had appeared, by Mr. Noble, Mr. Hawkins, and a friend 
who takes the signature of Philalethes ; and it is but 
justice to the editors of the papers to say, that they were 
inserted by most of them with the greatest readiness. As 
however it is still probable that many have seen the mis- 
representation, who have not seen the correction, we 
mention it here. The facts which gave rise to the fabri- 
cation, are briefly these: About the year 1790, a foreign 
gentleman, who held the philosophical tenets of the old 
sect of the Rosicrucians, and who of course, though he 
believed Swedenborg to have been a great philosopher, 
by no means embraced his theological sentiments, be- 
came acquainted with some of the admirers of Sweden- 
borg's writings in London. Having been invited one 
day to dine with a warm friend of those writings now 
abroad, (whom the writer of this article has heard relate 
the anecdote,) the foreigner after dinner affirmed that 
such a philosopher as Swedenborg must have discovered 
the secret which the Rosicrucian adepts pretended to 
possess, by virtue of which he could protract his existence 
as long as he pleased : he therefore contended that Swe- 
denborg had not died, but being desirous to put off the 
infirmities of age, had renewed his existence by means 
of a precious elixir, and had withdrawn to some other 
part of the world, causing a sham funeral to be performed 
to avoid discovery. It was in vain that the friends of the 
New Church present opposed this wild suggestion, as 
not only contrary to reason in general, but to every prin- 
ciple of truth developed in Swedenborg's writings : the 
pseudo-philosopher repeated his asseverations, and de- 
clared his conviction that if access could be had to the 
coffin, it would not be found to contain the body of the 
supposed deceased. In the warmth of the dispute, the 
14 



162 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

others agreed (rather inconsiderately, it must be owned,) 
to adopt this mode of satisfying the unreasonable stranger: 
they all set off immediately to the cemetery ; and having, 
with the sexton's assistance, found means to open the 
coffin, the incredulity, or rather the credulity, of the 
Rosicrucian was confounded by a view of Swedenborg's 
mortal remains. No violation was however offered to 
them by the visiters : they closed the coffin as well as 
they could, and departed. In this state things continued 
till the year 1817, when the vault was opened to receive 
the remains of the Baroness Nolken, the lady of the Swed- 
ish ambassador ; on which occasion Lieutenant or Cap- 
tain Ludvig Granholm, of the Swedish navy, being 
present, and amusing himself, either before or after the 
funeral, with reading the names on the coffins deposited 
around, came to that of Swedenborg ; when, observing 
the coffin lid to be loose, it occurred to his thoughts, that 
if he could possess himself of the skull, he might perhaps 
dispose of it profitably to some of the admirers of his 
principles, whom he had heard to be numerous in this 
country, but of whom and their sentiments he had so little 
knowledge, as not to be aware that they are the last people 
on earth to form an attachment to relics, or to fall into 
any of the mummery of saintcraft. He accordingly con- 
trived to withdraw the skull from its coffin, and wrapping 
it in his handkerchief, he carried it off unperceived. He 
afterwards applied to Mr. Hawkins, and to other members 
of the New Church, in hopes of finding a purchaser : but 
was disappointed : and at his death, which happened in 
London not very long afterwards, the skull came into 
the possession of the minister of the Swedish chapel. Its 
re-interment was occasioned by the interference of a lady 
of high rank in Sweden, who, hearing that it had been 
removed from the coffin, and apprehending, it would 
appear, that the circumstance might give rise to some 
such ridiculous story as has actually been framed from it, 
wrote to a gentleman in London to request that he would 
procure its restoration to its original situation; which 
was accordingly done in the most private manner. Thus 
all the circumstances in the fabricated narration which 
tend to throw ridicule on the admirers of Swedenborg's 



APPENDIX. 163 

writings are utterly untrue. It is not true that the person 
who purloined the skull was one of Swedenborg's ' disci- 
ples :' it is not true that it was ever taken to Sweden, or 
preserved, either there or here, as a relic : and it is not 
true that its re-interment was attended with any ' solem- 
nity,' or that, as the story affirmed, the circumstance 
1 excited unbounded,' (or even any) ' interest among his 
numerous followers.' Some of them had heard that the 
skull had been taken away : but none of them, except 
the gentleman who was the agent in the affair, knew 
when it was restored ; and certainly none of them cared 
any thing about the matter. 



SUPPLEMENT. 



CONTAINING A GENERAL HISTORICAL, ACCOUNT OF THE 
RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE NEW CHURCH IN AMERICA 
AND EUROPE. 

AMERICA. 

Remarks — First introduction of the Writings of Swedenborg 
into New England — Rev. William Hill — Rev. Holland 
Weeks — Societies in New England — Society in Balti- 
more — Letter to Gen. Washington and his Reply — Rev. 
Mr. Hargrove — Introduction of Swedenborg- 's Writings 
into Philadelphia — Societies in Philadelphia, New York, 
and other places — List of New Church Periodical Publica- 
tions — Republication of Swedenborg's Works — General 
Conventions. 

A few historical facts are here subjoined relative to the rise and 
progress of the New Church in America and Europe. We know 
not how much importance is attached by members of the New 
Church generally, to historical notices relative to the early estab- 
lishment of the New Church. The present dispensation is of a 
different character from all preceding ones. The churches which 
have before existed on this earth, have gradually declined from 
their original integrity until they have ceased to exist. Conse- 
quently their early history has been useful in affording examples 
of virtue and constancy of faith, which may have had a tendency 
to prolong their existence. But it is believed by the members of 
the New Church that a dispensation has now dawned upon us, 
when ' the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the 
top of the mountain,' when the church will increase in purity, and 
continue to ages of ages. The most pleasing reflections, therefore, 
at the present time, in regard to the church, are prospective rather 
than retrospective. We cannot dwell with so much satisfaction 
on the past as those who daily witnessed the gradual decay of the 
religion in which they were born and nurtured. There are, 
however, circumstances connected with the early developement 
of the New Church which may be instructive, and enable us to 



SUPPLEMENT. 165 

see more fully the wisdom and mercy of Divine Providence in 
establishing a new church at the present day. 

It is not our intention to give any thing like a connected history 
of the New Church, but simply to record such facts as we happen 
to have in our possession. 

The writings of Swedenborg were, it is believed, first intro- 
duced into New England about the year 1785. A bookseller in 
Boston, by the name of Robey, first received them from England. 
Some of the works were soon after republished by him and others. 
But it is not known that any general interest was taken in the 
subject until the Rev. William Hill came to Boston in 1795. Mr. 
Hill is still recollected by some in this country, who through him 
embraced the doctrines of the New Church. Some time after 
the decease of Mr. Hill, a cotemporary of his collected from his 
manuscripts a number of forms of prayer composed by him, and 
published them. In the preface to the book some account is 
given of Mr. Hill, of which the following is an extract: 

' The Rev William Hill was born at Wolverhampton in Eng- 
land, on July 5th, 1762, of most respectable parents, whose 
watchful care over his education was fully repaid, and he gained 
the esteem of all who knew him, by his amiable disposition and 
address; he entertained, at an early age, a desire to become a 
minister of the Church, and felt the greatest affection for the Holy 
Word, and for those works which illustrate the sacred volume. 
In London, where his father had also an establishment, he became 
acquainted with the Rev. Jacob Duche, the eminent and pious 
Chaplain of the Asylum for Female Orphans, with whose preach- 
ing he was much delighted and affectionately sought his friend- 
ship : by Mr. Duche, who was himself a pious admirer of the 
writings of the honorable Emanuel Swedenborg, he was strongly 
recommended to examine those works, and he soon perceived their 
inestimable value in demonstrating rationally the Sacred Scrip- 
tures, and in teaching a life in agreement thereto, by generating 
in the soul the love of God and our neighbor: — which heavenly 
principles are every where inculcated throughout those writings. 

' Possessing a competence sufficient to enable him to live with 
respectability, he devoted himself to the cultivation of his mind, 
with a view of becoming a rational and useful member of society, 
and his motive was eminently blessed: — intelligence and be- 
nevolence beamed from his fine countenance — his delight was to 
communicate to others from the stores of his own enlightened 
*14 



166 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

mind — whilst the religious truths which he advocated were im- 
planted in the affections of his hearers by the beautiful illustra- 
tion so eminently exemplified in his own life and conduct. 

'In 1795, he visited America ; and landed at Boston, where he 
was immediately led into the society of some of the professors 
and many of the students of Cambridge College ; to which Col- 
lege, he presented an original copy of the Arcana Ccelestia, in 
Latin. He was solicited to preach in the principal churches, at 
Cambridge, Boston, Dedham, Quincy, Charlestown, Wrentham, 
Oxford, and Salem, which he did to crowded audiences; at Cam- 
bridge he preached almost every Sunday for six months together; 
he also preached in the congregational churches of Massachusetts 
to very crowded audiences, and was very much pressed to take 
charge of an Episcopal Church in the district of Maine, (Augusta) 
but he did not accept it. 

' In America, he again met with his beloved friend the Rev. 
Jacob Duche, who from the state of his' health, which had 
been gradually declining, had retired from the Asylum, and had 
settled there. He afterwards married his daughter, Esther 
Duche, a most amiable and pious lady, by whom he had three 
lovely children, but it pleased the Lord to take them all in infan- 
cy; this visitation he endured with fortitude, resignation, and 
even cheerfulness, saying he was quite satisfied never to be 
called a Father on Earth ; and after recording in the Bible, their 
births, departure, and ages, added, all these were taken to heaven, 
unpolluted with actual evil. Before his marriage, he visited 
England for a few months, but afterwards resided in America, 
and there completed the translation of the Apocalypse Explained, 
from the Latin, which he had commenced in England, and which 
has, since his death, been printed and published in London, in six 
volumes quarto ; which work cannot be too much recommended, 
to all ranks and denominations of Christians. It was during the 
translation of those interesting volumes, that he composed these 
Prayers, which evidently display a heart and mind imbued with 
the purest love of God, and good will to man. 

' In him was seen the happy union of the sincere and pious 
Christian, the complete gentleman, and the scholar; with the 
most amiable and cheerful disposition, he possessed an urbanity 
of manners, that have seldom been equalled, with an application 
and industry, in every good work, that was never tired; in short, 
his life was a life of pious uses, continually adding to the happi- 



SUPPLEMENT. ' 167 

ness of all wherever he was ; the Editor, who is in possession of 
many of his manuscripts, had the privilege of residing for several 
years in the same house with him, and can truly say, that he 
never knew him to speak a word, or do an act, that did not give 
pleasure on reflection ; his name will ever be remembered, by 
those who had the delightful pleasure and happiness of his ac- 
quaintance, both in England and in America, with the most use- 
ful and gratifying reflections, without any alloy, except a secret 
wish, that under the Divine Providence, his valuable uses had 
been longer continued in this state of existence. 

' It pleased the Almighty to remove him from this world on 
June 2d, 1804, in the forty-second year of his age.' 

There was but a small number in New England who embraced 
the doctrines of the New Church until about the year 1816, when 
the writings of Swedenborg began to attract attention. From 
that time to the present there has been an uninterrupted but 
gradual increase of readers. In 1818 a society was formed in 
Boston, and organized as a church by the Rev. Mr. Carll, of 
Philadelphia. At that time there were but twelve members. The 
society held meetings in a public hall, and Mr. Thomas Worcester 
officiated as reader. He was soon after approbated to preach. 
The society first held their meetings in Boylston Hall, next in a 
hall in Pond Street, (now Bedford Street,) then again in Boylston 
Hall, next in Pantheon Hall, and lastly in the Athenaeum leoture 
room in Pearl Street. The number which usually attends at the 
present time, is from one hundred and fifty to two hundred. 

In 1820 the Rev. Holland Weeks, of Abington, near Boston, 
a minister of the orthodox congregational order, openly acknow- 
ledged his belief in the doctrines of the New Church. An eccle- 
siastical council was called in July, when the connexion between 
him and his church and society, was, by its decision, dissolved. 
This council was composed, besides delegates from the first 
church in Dedham, of the following clergymen : Dr. Emmons, 
of Franklin, Mr. Holman, of Attleborough, Dr. Harris, of Dor- 
chester, Mr. Huntington, of North Bridgewater, and Dr. Samuel 
Worcester of Salem. 

The report of the council was published in the Boston Recorder 
September 2, 1820. It is a curious document, occupying two 
and a half columns. It does full justice to the character of Mr. 
Weeks. After introducing the charges brought against him, the 
report contains these remarks : ' Mr. Weeks answered to these 



168 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

allegations with a very becoming deportment, and with a highly 
commendable readiness and frankness. Such of his sermons as 
were called for, he advanced; such portions of them as were 
desired, he read; and with respect to no point of inquiry did he 
show any disposition to conceal or embarrass.' 

The editor of the Recorder, after making many remarks on the 
subject of the council, and the doctrines of the New Church, 
says : < The character of Mr. Weeks is left (by the council) where 
it ought to be. No one who has intimately known him, (Mr. 
Weeks) can ascribe the change of his views to the wickedness of 
his heart, or to a wilful perversion of the truth for the purpose of 
entering heaven in any other way than through the " strait gate," 
at least many of our sweetest recollections must be buried in 
oblivion, before we can admit that the love of God does not dwell 
in a heart from whose sympathies we have drawn the most 
cheering cordials.' 

This affair had considerable effect in bringing into notice Swe- 
denborg's writings. About this time an article appeared in the 
North American Review, which pretended to be an account 
of the writings of Swedenborg. The principal quotation which 
the reviewer made for the purpose of casting ridicule on the 
subject, was not from any part of Swedenborg's works, but from 
an article which has been alluded to in the preceding pages, as 
of doubtful authority. The subject was altogether treated in such 
a manner as to induce a curiosity to investigation ; and several 
embraced the doctrines of the New Church, whose first know- 
ledge of the subject was gained from the article alluded to in the 
North American Review. 

In 1829 the Rev. Warren Bird, of Foxborough, Massachusetts, 
of the baptist denomination, openly professed his belief in the truths 
of the new dispensation. His connexion with his church and 
society was soon after necessarily dissolved. The Rev. Artemas 
Stebbins, of the methodist denomination, of Swansey, and the 
Rev. Philip Hathaway, baptist, of Freetown, receded several 
years since, and are now engaged in the service of the New 
Church. 

At the present time there are societies in the following towns 
in the vicinity of Boston : Abington, Bridgewater, East Bridge- 
water, West Bridgewater, and North Bridgewater. In the State 
of Maine there are three societies, one at Portland, one at Bath, 



SUPPLEMENT. 169 

and one at Gardiner. The society at Bath was organized as a 
church September 20, 1829. 

Our information relative to the rise and progress of the New 
Church in the Southern and Western States is imperfect. As 
early as 1792 there was a society in Baltimore consisting of 
twenty-two members. Mr. James Wilmer, a clergyman of the 
Episcopal Church, commenced preaching the doctrines in a 
court house in Baltimore, April 1, 1792. 

In 1793, as General Washington, then President of the United 
States, made a tour through the several States, he received ad- 
dresses from various societies in different parts of the country, 
among others, the society in Baltimore presented him with an 
address, which, together with the reply of General Washington, 
is here inserted. Although they contain nothing of particular im- 
portance, they may nevertheless be deemed worthy of preserva- 
tion. 

An Address to George Washington, Esq. President of the 
United States, from the Members of the New Church at 
Baltimore. 

Sir : While the nations of the earth, and the people of United 
America especially, have, in their various denominations, paid the 
tribute of respectful deference to the illustrious president there- 
of; permit, sir, a society, however small in number, yet sincere, 
they trust, in their attachment, to offer up, in the dawn of their 
institution, that mark of dutiful esteem, which well becometh 
new associations, to the Chief Magistrate of America. 

We presume not, sir, to enter into a reiterated panegyric of 
matchless virtues or exalted character : but judging of causes by 
effects, we are led to believe, that you were a chosen vessel for 
great and salutary purposes, and that both in your actions and in 
your conduct, you justly stand one of the first disinterested and 
exemplary men upon earth ; neither in this address can we, were 
it expected, enter into a detail of the profession of our faith ; but 
we are free to declare, that we feel ourselves among the number 
of those who have occasion to rejoice, that the Word literally is 
spiritually fulfilling ; that a new and glorious dispensation, or 
fresh manifestation of Divine Love, hath commenced in our land ; 
when, as there is but one Lord, so his name is becoming one 
throughout the earth ; and that the powers of light, or truth and 



170 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

righteousness, are in an eminent degree, universally prevailing, 
and even triumphing over darkness; when all corruptions in 
church and state shall be corrected to the gospel state of Divine 
Love and Wisdom, and the love of God and man be the only ground 
of action throughout Christendom. 

Could we, sir, without being charged with adulation, pour out 
the fulness of our souls, to the enlightened conduct of him, who 
stands chief amongst the foremost of men, what a volume of Truth 
might we deservedly offer to the name of Washington, on the 
altar of Liberty, uncircumscribed. 

Allow us, by the first opportunity, to present to your Excellency, 
among other tracts, the Compendium of the New Church, signi- 
fied by the New Jerusalem in the Revelations, as the readiest 
mean to furnish you with a just idea of the heavenly doctrines. 

That the Lord Jesus, whom alone we acknowledge as ' the 
True God and Eternal Life,' will preserve you long to reign in 
the hearts of the people, and finally to shine as a gem of the 
brightest lustre, a star of the first magnitude, in the unfading 
mansions above, is the fervent aspiration of your faithful fellow- 
citizens and affectionate brethren. 

Baltimore, 22d January, 1793. 

To this his Excellency returned the following answer : 
To the Members of the New Church at Baltimore. 

Gentlemen : It has been my pride to merit the approbation of 
my fellow-citizens, by a faithful and honest discharge of the du- 
ties annexed to those stations, in which they have been pleased 
to place me ; and the dearest rewards of my services have been 
those testimonies of esteem and confidence with which they have 
honored me : But to the manifest interposition of an over- ruling 
Providence, and to the patriotic exertions of United America, are 
to be attributed those events, which have given us a respectable 
rank among the nations of the earth. 

We have abundant reason to rejoice, that in this land the light 
of truth and reason has triumphed over the power of bigotry and 
superstition ; and that every person may here worship God ac- 
cording to the dictates of his own heart. In this enlightened age, 
and in this land of equal liberty, it is our boast, that a man's 
religious tenets will not forfeit the protection of the laws, nor 
deprive him of the right of attaining and holding the highest 
offices that are known in the United States. 



SUPPLEMENT. 171 

Your prayers for my present and future felicity, are received 
with gratitude ; and I sincerely wish, gentlemen, that you may, 
in your social and individual capacities, taste those blessings 
which a gracious God bestows upon the righteous. 

Geo. Washington. 

In 1799 the Rev. John Hargrove, of Baltimore, receded from 
the methodists, and openly declared his belief in the doctrines of 
the New Church. He was soon after ordained over the New 
Church Society in Baltimore. He continued to officiate as pastor 
until 1830, when, from old age, being upwards of eighty, he 
resigned his pastoral duties. 

The writings of Swedenborg were first introduced into Phila- 
delphia about the year 1784, when Mr. James Glen came to that 
place from England, and delivered some lectures at a book store, on 
correspondences ; which were, however, but little comprehended 
at that time by those who heard him. But Mr. John Young, now 
Judge of one of the circuit courts in Pennsylvania, and who now 
resides at Greensburgh, received from Mr. Glen the first volume 
of the Arcana Coclestia. ' I read it,* says Judge Young, ' and 
became soon convinced of its spiritual and heavenly contents. 
About that period the small treatise on Influx was received, and 
successively other tracts from England, some of which were 
republished by Francis Bailey, and favorably received by a few. 
In 1788 the Universal Theology was received by me from Lon- 
don, and presented to Mr. Bailey for the purpose of being re- 
printed as soon as a sufficient number of subscribers could be 
procured. For want of encouragement (the work being large) 
this was delayed some years. In the mean while, the other 
tracts were circulated through various quarters, preparing the 
way for the reception of the Theology. About the time of its 
coming out, Ralph Mather, an ardent admirer of the doctrines, 
arrived from England. He lectured occasionally at Philadelphia 
and other cities, and administered the ordinance of baptism in 
some instances. Some time after came William Hill, an English 
gentleman of liberal education and polished manners, who trav- 
elled through the Eastern States. I heard he lectured occasion- 
ally, but that his style, more probably the substance of his dis- 
courses, was of too elevated a nature to be much comprehended. 
He procured the publication of some of the works at Boston. By 
those means, through the divine blessing, the heavenly truths 



172 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

became more and more diffused, and at length were embraced by 
many. Of their progress since, by means of various publications, 
enough is known.' 

Jonathan W. Condy, Esq. a lawyer in Philadelphia, eminent 
in his profession, embraced the doctrines about the year 1800. 
He was actively engaged in the cause, and wrote much in the 
New Jerusalem Church Repository, published in Philadelphia in 
1816. The number of receivers, however, in Philadelphia, was 
small until about 1816, when a society was formed, and on De- 
cember 31, same year, the Rev. Maskell M. Carll was ordained 
by the Rev. Mr. Hargrove, as minister of that society. A hand- 
some temple was built for the use of the society, principally 
through the munificence of a wealthy merchant, a member of 
that society. By a change of circumstances, however, the temple 
has been sold, but Mr. Carll still continues pastor of the same 
society. 

In 1822 the Rev. Manning B. Roche, minister of Trinity Church, 
Philadelphia, of the episcopal order, embraced the doctrines of the 
New Church. He addressed a letter, December 15, of the same 
year, to the society over which he was settled, openly confessed 
his belief in the doctrines of the New Church, and resigned his 
office as pastor. He, however, continued to preach in another 
place, and a great part of the same society followed him, and still 
continue to listen to his preaching. His society has since built 
him a temple. 

In New York a society was formed as early as 1S18. On the 
9th of August, in that year, Mr. Charles I. Doughty was ordained 
by the Rev. Mr. Carll, minister over the same. The society 
have a commodious chapel in Pearl Street. Within a few years 
past the New Church has made considerable progress in New 
York. 

In Danby, Tioga County, New York, there is a society, and 
the Rev. Lewis Beers, M. D. is Pastor. He was ordained 
January 19th, 1817. The Rev. Mr. Weeks, formerly of Abing- 
ton, is settled over a society in Henderson, New York, near 
Lake Ontario. There is a society in Cincinnati, over which the 
Rev. Adam Hurdus is settled. 

There are thirteen societies, besides those already named, in 
the United States; and in the last Journal of the Convention 
there are inserted one hundred and nineteen cities and towns in 
the United States, where there are more or less receivers, and 



SUPPLEMENT. 



173 



the name of the minister, or some other person in each place, to 
whom communications may be addressed. 

The following is a list of the Clergy and Licentiates of the 
New Church in the United States at the present time : 

ORDAINING MINISTERS. 

Rev. John Hargrove, Baltimore. 

Maskell M. Carll, Philadelphia, 1st Soc. 
Lewis Beers, M. D. Danby, JV. Y. 
Charles I. Doughty, New York City. 
Holland Weeks, Henderson, JV. Y. 
Manning B. Roche, Philadelphia, 2d Soc. 
Adam Hurdus, Cincinnati, O. 
Thomas Worcester, Boston, Mass. 

PRIESTS AND TEACHING MINISTERS. 

Rev. Richard H. Goe, Bethlehem, O. 

" Isaac C. Worrell, Frankford, Pa. 

" Nathaniel Holley, Cincinnati, O. 

" Thomas Newport, near Lebanon, O. 

" Eleazer Smith, Bridgewater, Mass. 

" Lemuel C. Belding, M. D. Pike, Pa. 

" Samuel H. Wills, Abingdon, Va. 

" James Robinson, Delaware County, Pa. 

LICENTIATES. 

Mr. Silas Ensign, Wooster, O. 

" Edwin A. Atlee, M. D. Cincinnati, O. 

" William Pitts, Danby, JV. Y. 

" Thomas Newport, Jr. Oxford, O. 

" Benjamin Essex, Lynchburg, Va. 

" Artemas Stebbins, Swanzey, Mass. 

" Oliver Lovell, Cincinnati, O. 

" Philip Hathaway, Freetown, Mass. 

" Richard De Charms, Baltimore. 

" Solyman Brown, JVeio York, JV. Y. 

" John Lister, Crescentville, Pa. 

" Stephen Peabody, Bainbridge, O. 

" William Girling, Lancaster, Pa. 

" Adonis Howard, West Bridgewater, Mass. 

" Samuel Worcester, Cambridgeport, Mass. 
There have been a number of periodical publications issued by 
the members of the New Church in this country. The following 
is a list of them in the order in which they have appeared : 
15 



174 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

1. The Halcyon Luminary, New York, 1812. This work 
continued two years, making two large octavo volumes. 

2. The New Jerusalem Church Repository, quarterly, 
Philadelphia, 1817, continued two years, making one volume 
octavo, five hundred and forty pages. 

3. The New Church Record, Philadelphia, 1820 ; intended 
to have been published quarterly. Only one or two numbers 
appeared. 

4. The New Jerusalem Church Missionary and In- 
tellectual Repository, monthly, New York, 1823. Con- 
tinued one year, making one volume. 

5. The Herald of Truth, monthly, Cincinnati, 1825. 
Continued one year, making one volume. 

6. The New Jerusalem Magazine, monthly, Boston, 1827, 
one volume yearly. Still continued. 

Besides the above periodicals, there have been published a 
volume of sermons by the Rev. Mr. Worcester, and one by the 
Rev. Mr. Roche, besides other sermons by different individuals. 
Also, ' Observations on the Growth of the Mind,' by Sampson 
Reed; A Pamphlet in reply to the Rev. Jackson Kemper, by J. 
W. Condy, of Philadelphia — all published within a few years. 
A Liturgy was published in Philadelphia in 1822, and one in 
Boston, entitled Book of Worship, in 1829. A Catechism was 
published in Boston in 1831. 

The following is an imperfect list of the works of Swedenborg 
which have been reprinted in this country, with the date of pub- 
lication, and the names of the publishers. It does not contain the 
whole, but only such as we happen to have access to at the 
present time : 

1789. The True Christian Religion. Philadelphia. Francis 
Bailey. The second volume was printed in 1792. 

1794. Angelic Wisdom concerning the Divine Love and the 
Divine Wisdom. Boston. Thomas & Andrews. 

1795. Angelic Wisdom concerning the Divine Providence. 
Boston. Thomas & Andrews. 

" Doctrine of the New Jerusalem concerning the Lord. Bos- 
ton. Thomas Hall. 

" Doctrine of the New Jerusalem concerning the Sacred 
Scriptures. Boston. John W. Folsom. 

1796. Treatise on Conjugial Love. Philadelphia. F. & R. 
Bailey. 



SUPPLEMENT. 175 

1812. Treatise on Heaven and Hell. Baltimore. Anthony 

Miltenberger. 
1817. Doctrine of the New Jerusalem concerning the Lord. 

Philadelphia. L. R. Bailey. 
1821. The same work, published in Cambridge by Hilliard & 

Metcalf. 
1825. The Treatise on Heaven and Hell. Boston. T. H. Carter. 

1828. Doctrine of the New Jerusalem concerning Faith. Bos- 
ton. A. Howard. 

" Earths in the Universe. Boston. A. Howard. 

" Divine Love and Divine Wisdom, 18mo. Extracted from the 
Apocalypse Explained. Boston. A. Howard. 

" On the Athanasian Creed, 18mo. Extracted from the same 
work. Boston. A. Howard. 

" Intercourse between the Soul and Body. Boston. A. How- 
ard. 

" Treatise concerning the Last Judgment, and the Continua- 
tion of the same. Boston. A.Howard. 

1829. The New Jerusalem and its Heavenly Doctrines. Bos- 
ton. A. Howard. 

" Doctrine of the New Jerusalem concerning the Sacred 
Scriptures. Boston. A. Howard. 

1830. A Brief Exposition of the Doctrines of the New Church. 
Boston. A. Howard. 

1831. The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem concerning Life. 
Boston. Allen & Goddard. 

The two last works were stereotyped. Mr. T. H. Carter, of 
Boston, intends to stereotype and publish all the theological works 
of Swedenborg, as fast as the translations are revised. The Trea- 
tise on Conjugial Love, the True Christian Religion, and the 
Apocalypse Revealed, are now undergoing a revised translation. 
The same gentleman has caused to be stereotyped and published, 
within a few years, as Tracts, various extracts from the writings 
of Swedenborg, which are sold at the low price of one cent for 
eight pages. 

A Convention of the receivers of the doctrines of the New 
Church from different parts of the United States, was held in 
Philadelphia, on the 15th of May, 1817, and continued three 
days. Since that time a General Convention has been held every 
year, with one exception, either in Baltimore, Philadelphia, 
New York, or Boston. Each society is represented in Convention 



176 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

by a number of delegates, not exceeding three, besides the 
pastor. Communications are received from the several societies, 
stating the number of baptisms, marriages, funerals, number of 
communicants, &c. during the past year; together with such 
other information as may be considered interesting to the New 
Church. Communications are also received from places where 
there are no societies, which furnish matter of interest to the 
church. These communications, or portions of them, are pub- 
lished every year in the Journal of the Convention. The Con- 
vention has control over the ordination of ministers, and estab- 
lishes, from time to time, such regulations as the state of the 
New Church seems to require. 



EUROPE. 



England — Separation of the New Church from the Old in 
that kingdom — Societies in London and other places — The 
General Conferences — List of New Church periodical pub- 
lications — New Church in France, Sweden, and Germany. 

The doctrines of the New Church prevail in England more 
than in any other part of Europe. From the time of Swedenborg 
till 1787 there were many receivers, but they continued until that 
period their connexion with the church of England ; and the 
Rev. Mr. Clowes, a clergyman of the church of England, who 
embraced the doctrines at an early period and continued in the 
ministry until a few years since, never dissolved his connexion with 
the Old Church. He, however, openly preached his sentiments, 
and wrote and published many works explanatory of the doctrines 
of the New Church. 

But in 1787 a general separation took place of the members of 
the New Church from the church of England, concerning which, 
the following is a particular account: 

' A number of Christians meeting together, who were readers of 
the writings of the Honorable Emanuel Swedenborg, and believed 
that the Lord had made his Second Advent in the spiritual world 
in the year 1757, by executing the last judgment, and thereby 
establishing a New Christian Heaven; it was by them resolved, 
to attempt to open a place for public worship, in conformity with 
their understanding of the new revelation, and thereby assist in 
establishing a new Christian church on earth. 



SUPPLEMENT. 177 

« Inthe year 1787, therefore, those few Christians arranged them- 
selves into a society, and took a place in Great Eastcheap, for 
the performance of their intended religious service; in which, 
after due preparation, they assembled together, on Sunday, 
January the 27th, in the year 1788 ; and thereby opened the door 
of the New Church, wherein Jehovah Jesus alone is to be wor- 
shipped, and the doctrines of the New Jerusalem, as revealed by 
the Lord, in the writings of Emanuel Swedenborg, openly 
avowed and publicly preached. 

'These Christians conceived themselves, at that time, to be the 
first society in these kingdoms who performed public worship to 
the Lord Jesus Christ as the only God of heaven and earth (Matt. 
chap. 28, ver. 18.) and for what is yet known to the contrary, the 
first in Europe. 

' But sensible of their own weakness and infirmities, and how 
much they stood in need of Divine assistance, they earnestly 
prayed that their hearts might be preserved in the truth of the 
Holy Word, and in genuine charity towards all mankind ; being 
convinced that the most perfect forms of external worship avail 
nothing in the way of salvation, unless under the Divine mercy of 
the Lord, rnan l-epents, and becomes regenerate ; which can only 
be effected by shunning evils as sins against God, and living a 
life conformable to the ten commandments. 

' Considering it therefore as a duty incumbent upon them to for- 
sake whatsoever was calculated to oppose and obstruct the free 
reception of good and truth from the Lord, they hesitated not to 
be the first new Christians who departed from their old forms : 
they therefore framed a liturgy of new forms, suited to their states 
and perceptions of the heavenly doctrines of a church, wherein all 
things were to be made new. And notwithstanding they were 
well assured, that the Lord accepts the sincere worship of all men, 
however imperfect their forms, yet they conceived that they 
should have a more sure and certain ground of hope of the Divine, 
mercy to attend them in their public worship, when the exter- 
nal expressions of their mouths were the real clothing of the af- 
fections and thoughts of their minds. Thus they reasoned, and 
considered that no evil or danger could possibly arise, but, on the 
contrary, much good would accrue, in consequence of their mak- 
ing a first public acknowledgment and oral confession of One 
God, in the Divine Human Person of the Lord Jesus Christ, 
15* 



178 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

And most certainly this public worship and doctrine was new, — 
for it was what Christendom never witnessed before. 

' Having entered into this new state, they proceeded to establish 
certain ceremonies, which worship necessarily required for the 
preservation of order : and on June the 1st. in the same year, two 
ministers were ordained. 

' The society continued to perform public worship every Sunday 
morning and evening ; and at convenient and occasional seasons 
celebrated the two Christian sacraments continued in the New 
Church, viz. baptism and the holy supper : and at the close of the 
same year, reasons were given for their conduct in thus establish- 
ing new ceremonials of worship, which were signed by seventy- 
seven persons. 

« In April, 1789, a general conference was held by this society, 
at Great Eastcheap, which was attended by persons from Ken- 
sington, Rotherham, in Yorkshire, Liverpool, Salisbury, Derby, 
and from Sweden, and different parts of America. 

' In April 1790, another general conference was held, when there 
appeared present, besides those of the last year, persons from 
Birmingham, Kighly, in Yorkshire, and Norwich. And at another 
general conference, in April, 1791, there appeared fresh comers 
from Halifax and Bristol. 

' But at the general conference in April, 1792, a division took 
place in consequence of a difference of opinion-, respecting the 
appointment of ministers, when those in the minority, approving 
of the episcopalian form of church government, or that which ad- 
mits of one visible official head, with a subordination of ministers 
under him, continued to perform public worship at Eastcheap ; 
whilst the majority of members present thought it most proper to 
adopt that mode of church government, in which all appointments 
should proceed from, and be determined by, the voice of the 
members at large. This majority having chosen the Rev. Ma- 
noah Sibly for their pastor, removed from Eastcheap into Store- 
street, Tottenham-court-road ; where another place was opened 
for the public service of the New Church, on Sunday, the 13th 
of May, 1792. 

' But the situation not being sufficiently central, another temple, 
in a part of the town more convenient for the different members, 
was obtained in Red Cross-street, Cripplegate, which was opened 
on the 12th of May, 1793. 

' At this place several new regulations were entered into, the 



SUPPLEMENT. 179 

different members formed themselves into a regular church-soci- 
ety, according to several rules and articles, which were drawn 
up and agreed to. Another liturgy, more suitably adapted to the 
state of the society, than the original one established atEastcheap, 
was also framed ; and under those new regulations the society 
continued at Red Cross-street for seven years, being the term of 
the lease which they had of the premises. 

* On the expiration of the lease, the society removed to perform 
public worship, at the new temple in Cross-street, Hatton Gar- 
den, on Sunday, February 16th, 1800. 

' But the premises being too large and expensive for a small 
society to support, they again removed on Christmas day, in the 
year 1801 ; and performed worship at an upper room, in Cateaton- 
street, near Guildhall, as a temporary place, until a new building 
appropriated for the purpose, should be erected. Whilst at this 
place the liturgy was again altered, in concert with the other 
societies at this time established in London, with a view of obtain- 
ing uniformity in worship. 

' Before the end of this year a piece of ground presented itself 
in Fryar's-street, Black Fryars, near Doctor's Commons, whereon 
a temple might be erected, for the use of the society; which at a 
General Meeting, agreed to take a lease thereof for sixty years, and 
appointed a number of gentlemen, as trustees of the building. 

' Under the northwest corner stone, which was laid December 
21, 1802, a plate was deposited, on which is inscribed, " Sacred 
to the worship of Jehovah Jesus, the One, Only, Living and 
True God," together with the date, and the names of the minis- 
ter and trustees. 

' In the front, over the door, is engraved on a stone, " Sacred 
to the worship of Jehovah Jesus, for in him dwelleth all the ful- 
ness of the Godhead bodily." Col. ii. 9. 

6 As soon as it was finished, the society removed from Cateaton- 
street, to this new temple, which was consecrated and opened 
for public worship by their reverend pastor, Manoah Sibly, on 
Sunday, August 7th, 1803, where the society have ever since 
continued, and under the blessing of Divine Providence, their 
numbers gradually increase. 

' That the affairs of the church may be regularly directed, and 
the members kept together in church fellowship, in order to pro- 
mote that union and harmony between all the individuals so 
necessary for the establishment of the heavenly kingdom of our 



180 LIFE OF SWEJDENBORG. 

Lord Jesus Christ on earth, this society is governed hy the min- 
ister and a committee of twelve members, annually elected on 
the first Monday in every new year, agreeably to several laws, 
rules, and regulations, entered into, approved, and established, by 
the unanimous voice of the whole society.' 

The Rev. Samuel Noble is settled over a society which occupy 
the chapel in Cross Street, Hatton Garden. Mr. Noble is the 
author of a work entitled ' Plenary Inspiration of the Sacred 
Scriptures,' published a few years since. It is an octavo volume 
of about five hundred pages, written with much ability, and 
particularly calculated to be useful to such as are unacquainted 
with the writings of Swedenborg. It has been republished in 
Boston. He also published a work in 1826, entitled, ' An Appeal 
in behalf of the views of the Eternal World,' &c, which has 
likewise been republished in Boston. 

The Rev. Mr. Sibly still continues connected with the society, 
an account of which has been given above. The Rev. Mr. Goyder 
is settled over another society. There are, thus, three societies 
of the New Jerusalem Church in London. 

In Manchester there are two societies. The Rev. Mr. Jones 
officiates at the temple in Peter Street, and the Rev. Mr. Howarth 
in the temple in Bolton Street, Salford. With the latter society 
the Rev. Mr. Hindmarsh was formerly connected. 

In Birmingham there is a society, over which the Rev. Edward 
Madeley is settled. Mr. Madeley is successor to the late Rev, 
Joseph Proud. In Leeds there is a society, and the Rev. Jonathan 
Gilbert is their pastor. In New Castle there is also a society, 
and the Rev. Mr. Rendell was lately ordained over the -same. 

There are other societies in different parts of the kingdom 
which have ordained ministers ; and it is stated that there are no 
less than seventeen societies, within twenty-four miles of Man- 
chester, without ordained ministers. 

A General Conference is held annually, composed of delegates 
sent from the several societies in the kingdom. The first Con- 
ference was held at London, in 1789. It was continued to be 
held annually until 1793, when a period of fourteen years elapsed. 
In 1807 another Conference was called, which met at London, 
which was followed by another in 1898, held in Birmingham. 
An interval then elapsed of seven years ; during which time the 
three societies in London held quarterly meetings, attended by 
the ministers and representatives from the three societies, in order 



SUPPLEMENT. 181 

to supply the want of a General Conference. These meetings 
were denominated ' The London Conferences.' In 1815 a General 
Conference was again called, which met in Manchester. Since 
that period a General Conference has been held every year, either 
at London or some other part of the kingdom. 

There are several societies in London and Manchester which 
have been in operation for several years, the object of which is 
to disseminate the doctrines of the New Church. The following 
are the names of some of them : The London Missionary and 
Tract Society of the New Jerusalem Church ; the London Society 
for Printing and Publishing the Writings of the Hon. Emanuel 
Swedenborg ; the New Jerusalem Church Free School Society; 
the Manchester Printing Society ; and the Manchester and Sal- 
ford Missionary Society. 

There have been several periodical works published in London, 
of which the following, it is believed, is a correct list: 

1. The New Jerusalem Magazine, monthly, London, com- 
menced in January, 1790, and continued until June following, 
making six numbers, to which was added an Appendix. This 
work contained much valuable information relative to Swedenborg. 

2. The Magazine of Knowledge, monthly, London, commenced 
in April, 1790, and continued until October, 1791, making twenty 
numbers, in two volumes. 

3. The New Jerusalem Journal, no fixed period of publication, 
London, commenced in January, 1792, and ended in September of 
the same year, making ten numbers, bound in one volume. 

4. The Aurora, monthly, London, commenced May, 1799, and 
ended in April, 1801, making twenty-five numbers, two volumes. 

5. The Intellectual Repository, quarterly, London, commenced 
in January, 18J.2, and continued till January, 1830 ; since which 
it bears the title of ' The Intellectual Repository and New Jeru- 
salem Magazine,' and is issued every other month. It is now 
under the control of the General Conference. 

6. The New Jerusalem Magazine, monthly, London, com- 
menced in 1827, and continued about two years. 

7. The Novitiate's Preceptor, monthly, London, commenced in 
1827, and continued till 1830. The two last works were, in 
1830, incorporated with the Intellectual Repository. 

In France the doctrines of the New Church have lately been 
regarded with considerable interest. There is a small society in 
Paris, and one in Nantz. Mr. Edward Richer, of Nantz, a man 



182 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

high in reputation as a philosopher, is about publishing a large 
work ' On the New Jerusalem.' 

In Sweden the doctrines prevail to a very great extent, but no 
external separation has taken place of those who receive the 
writings of Swedenborg, from the Lutheran form, which is the 
established religion of the country. In ' Haldane's second Re- 
view of the conduct of the British and Foreign Bible Society,' 
lately published, is the following notice of the ' state of religion 
in Sweden :' — ' The pernicious spirit of the times,' says Mr. 
Haldane, « tending to indifference, skepticism, or a spurious 
mysticism, has, of late, too much obtained the prevalence ; and 
under such circumstances, Swedenborgianism makes rapid pro- 
gross among all classes of society? 

A society was formed in Stockholm in 1786 by a few receivers 
of the New Church doctrines, called the ' Exegetic and Philan- 
thropic Society.' Its numbers fast increased, and in 1790 it 
contained more than two hundred members, all men of learning, 
and a majority of them clergymen. The Duke of Sudermania, 
afterwards Charles XIII., of Sweden was one of the number. 
They translated and published many of Swedenborg's works, and 
circulated them through the country. The press, however, not 
being free, they were obliged to have their works printed in 
Denmark. We are unable to give any account of the present 
state of this society. It is, however, probable that the govern- 
ment of Sweden has imposed such restraints on it as to prevent 
its members from cooperating as a body. 

It is highly probable that a considerable portion of those who 
at that time adopted the sentiments of Swedenborg were led to it 
from external considerations. Most of them had doubtless known 
him personally, and if they had ever sought from him proof of his 
intercourse with the spiritual world, it was most likely readily 
afforded. But whether they had personally known him or not, 
such undeniable facts concerning his spiritual intercourse, were 
so generally diffused in Sweden, that something more than ordin- 
ary incredulity must have been required to have totally disre- 
garded it. And we can easily conceive why men, at that time, 
in Sweden, should adopt the sentiments inculcated by Sweden- 
borg, who, at the present day, removed from the influence occa- 
sibned by his presence, and the freshness of the proofs daily 
afforded of his mission, would pass them over in silence. 

But we have very good reason to believe that the doctrines 



SUPPLEMENT. 183 

of the New Church are received, at the present time in Sweden, 
from something better than external evidences. Mr. Henry G. 
Linberg, judge of the court in St. Croix, a gentleman favorably 
known to the members of the New Church in America, was 
employed, in 1828, by members of the society at Boston, to visit 
Stockholm, for the purpose of purchasing the manuscripts of 
Swedenborg, deposited in the Academy of Sciences at that place. 
Mr. Linberg was unable to procure the manuscripts at any price, 
but he obtained a catalogue of them, and sent it to the society in 
Boston, which is a valuable document, never before published in 
any New Church periodical, and, therefore, it is presumed, un- 
known before to the New Church in General. (See page 122.) 
Mr. Linberg gives a most favorable account of the state of the 
New Church in Sweden, the particulars of which, owing to the 
restraints imposed on the clergy, in consequence of the estab- 
lished religion of the country, we are not at liberty to give. 

In Germany the writings of Swedenborg are beginning to be 
read with interest. The following account of the rise and pro- 
gress of the New Church in that country is from the pen of Dr. 
Frederic Immanuel Tafel, Librarian of the University of Tubin- 
gen, in the form of a letter written to the Rev. Mr. Roche, of 
Philadelphia, in 1829. A part of the letter is omitted. 

' The partition of Germany into so many principalities, and the 
restrictions of religious freedom and the liberty of the press, which 
even now exist, have been the cause that not only individuals 
have so long adhered to the old doctrine, but that it was even 
found impracticable to organize societies for printing and distri- 
buting the writings of the New Church, much less to form con- 
gregations following their own mode of divine worship. The 
members of the New Church remained isolated, and knew little 
or nothing of each other, for which reason also, a history of the 
New Church in Germany, is attended with peculiar difficulties. 
That however her doctrines did strike root amongst us at a very 
early period, and have silently retained their friends, is proved 
by the translations which have appeared from time to time. 

' The first commencement may be dated from the correspond- 
ence of Swedenborg with Frederic Christopher Oetinger, cele- 
brated by his many edifying writings, special superintendent at 
Herrenburg, and afterward prelate at Murrhardt, in Wurtemberg. 
This man was very favorably disposed towards our Swedenborg, 
but did not embrace his doctrine in all respects. He caused, 



184 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

however, in the year 1765, a book to appear under the title, 
" Swedenborg's and other's Terrestrial and Heavenly Philosophy. ' 
This book, which was printed in Frankfurt, on the Main, con- 
tains, besides a statement of the philosophical system of Sweden- 
borg, mentioned in the work entitled Principia Rerum Natura- 
lium, extracts from his Heavenly Mysteries, viz. the accounts 
given therein of the Spiritual World, with a criticism of Oetinger's, 
together with the systems of Malebranche, Newton, Cluver, 
Wolff, Ploucquet, Broglis, and Fricker. On account of this book, 
which, however, he had not given out as theological, but merely 
philosophical matter, the Consistory of Stuttgart wanted to prose- 
cute him, but Duke Charles being his friend, nothing was done 
against him. In the year 1770 there appeared, without men- 
tioning the place where it was published, a German translation 
of the work " De Telluribus," with Reflections, which might 
have been left away, together with an extract from Swedenborg's 
Letter in the Latin language, dated November 8, 1768, directed 
to Oetinger, who had written to him twice, and several other 
Latin letters and answers from Swedenborg and Oetinger. 

'In the year 1771 the same translation of the work De Telluri- 
bus, likewise appeared at Ansbach, and in the same year, without 
an imprint, " Documents from Assessor Swedenborg, which will 
be decided on at the Swedish diet on the 13th of June, 1771." 
In this work are contained in broken German, considerations of 
the consistorial council in the case of Swedenborg to the King of 
Sweden, a letter of Prevost Ekebom, Swedenborg's answers, a 
letter of the King, a letter of Swedenborg to the King, as well as 
to the Academies of Lund, Upsala, and Abo, Dr. Beyer's consid- 
erations, a collection of some accounts concerning Swedenborg. 
a defence of Dr. Beyer, &c. 

' In 1772 those letters of Swedenborg were published in Ger- 
man, together with that addressed to Dr. Thomas Hartley in 
1769 ; and in the same year, an extract from the work " De nova 
Hierosolyma el ejus Doctrina Ccelestia," containing the text 
only, which work also appeared in 1788, at Altenburg. The book 
of the connexion of the soul with the body, appeared in 1772, at 
Leipzig, and in 1776, at Jena, in the German language. 

' In the year 1775 the work of Heaven and Hell was published 
with a preface, probably the first writing amongst us which 
expressed an unconditional approbation, omitting, however, many 
extracts from the Heavenly Mysteries. In 1784 a spurious 
edition made its appearance. 



SUPPLEMENT. 185 

* In 1776, all those works appeared in one collection, comprising 
five volumes, at Frankfurt, on the Main, including Oetinger's 
work, forming the last two volumes. 

' In 1784, a translation of the True Christian Religion was pub- 
lished at Altenburg, in three volumes, and in 1795, a new trans- 
lation of the same work, with extracts from the Heavenly Mys- 
teries and Apocalypse Revealed, appeared at Basil, together with 
the posthumous work of Swedenborg, entitled Conclusion, or 
Appendix to the True Christian Religion, in two large octavo 
volumes. This translation has considerable faults, and is not pure 
German ; it is, however, the best of all, the rest being now almost 
obsolete. 

c In the year 1789, there was published at Leipzig, a translation 
from the French, of an extract from Swedenborg's works, together 
with a very favorable preface. None of these works, however, 
will answer the present genius of the German language, which 
in our days has assumed quite another character. 

' In the year 1821, there was published atStockholm, in German, 
The Wisdom of the Angels concerning the Divine Love and Wis- 
dom. This translation, however, is an entire failure, having 
probably been attempted by a Swede who was not master of the 
German language. 

c Latin copies we do not possess, and the originals have become 
very scarce — but we were furnished with French translations, 
particularly from the Abbe Pernetty, Royal Prussian Librarian, 
and Fellow Member of the Royal Academy of Sciences, at Ber- 
lin — an extract from the work entitled Heaven and Hell, and 
Earths in the Universe, with Swedenborg's portrait; anecdotes 
of Swedenborg ; extracts from Divine Conjugial Love. Since 
the year 1782, French translations of many works having been 
printed in London, have been sent over to Germany : and in later 
times, since 1820, John Aug. Tulk, Esq. caused many French 
translations of Mr. J. P. Moet, formerly Royal Librarian at Ver- 
sailles, to be printed at Brussels. 

c From these circumstances a conclusion may be drawn, that 
there is amongst us no want of susceptibility for the heavenly 
truths, and that they never could be entirely eradicated in spite 
of the restrictions under which we have labored, and the efforts of 
the enemy ; for, however incorrect and unintelligible those Ger- 
man translations may be, many souls penetrated through their 
unseemly outside ; and all of them were gradually sold.' 
16 



186 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

After giving an account of his first reception of the doctrines, 
and the difficulties which he had to encounter in disseminating 
them, Dr. Tafel proceeds : ' an order from the King was issued, 
Feb. 13, 1822, declaring that, being convinced that the propaga- 
tion of those writings, especially in the present disposition of the age, 
would not remain without pernicious consequences, and consider- 
ing that they contained such glaring and essential deviations from 
the established system, a time should be appointed for me to 
become reconciled to my convictions, and to declare to me, that 
I had to expect the loss of the privileges of a Seminarist, and 
the consequences connected therewith, if I did not, 1st. give up 
immediately and forever, the publication of Swedenborg's writ- 
ings, and, 2d, promise within a year not to promulgate Sweden- 
borg's doctrine either publicly or privately, but to deliver the 
genuine doctrine of the Evangelical church of the country, and 
to abstain from every intercourse with a society of Swedenborg's 
adherents. If I should not comply with these requisitions, it 
would follow of course, that I could not expect any support or 
advancement in the Evangelical (Lutheran) church of the coun- 
try. You see I could not comply with these requisitions. I 
therefore declared about eight days thereafter, that in matters of 
conviction which were sacred to me, I could not suffer myself to 
be determined either through a regard for a living or any similar 
considerations, but that it was my duty to be of use to the human 
race at every moment of my life as much as I could ; it was now 
my conviction that I could not be of greater use to them but by 
publishing those writings, and it was consequently my duty to 
have them published. Hereupon nothing further was said. In 
the year 1823, there appeared the first volume of the works 
announced containing the doctrine of the New Jerusalem con- 
cerning the Lord, with a circumstantial introduction to the newly 
revealed religion, in which at the same time the greater part of 
the objections are answered. In the mean time I had formed a 
connexion with the societies in Sweden and England, and had 
also received a much valued letter from Mr. Daniel Thunn, in 
Philadelphia, dated January 24, 1823, and afterwards some oth- 
ers ; after his departure to Mr. de Steiger Grandson, near Athens, 
in Ohio, I was favored with a letter from Mr. Daniel Lammot. 
A small number of Swiss, in the cantons of Appenzell, St. Gallen, 
Thurgau and the Grisons, since then subdivided into four socie- 
ties, put themselves in connexion with me through Daniel Naf, 



SUPPLEMENT. 187 

at Hevisau, and others, and in proportion with their small strength, 
contributed largely towards the promotion of the cause. This was 
the case, likewise, with Mr. Volk, counsellor of the Supreme Court 
at Wiesbaden, now at Nastatten, and both his sisters at Wiesba- 
den, in the duchy of Nassau : their uncle now deceased, privy 
councellor Langsdorf at Giesen ; Mr. Franck, apothecary to the 
court at Potsdam, in Prussia; the royal Prussian provincial coun- 
sellor Mullensifen, and the old parson Mr. Stauss, both at Iserlohe, 
near Elberfeld, in Rhenish Prussia. Notwithstanding the exer- 
tions of individuals, the expenses were far from being covered ; 
and only by taking up a considerable capital I was enabled, in 
the year 1824, to publish two more volumes, viz. in the second 
volume, the Doctrine of the New Jerusalem concerning the Holy 
Scripture, the Doctrine of Faith, the Doctrine of Life of the New 
Jerusalem according to the ten commandments, and the treatise 
concerning the Last Judgment, together with the first sheets of 
my magazine for the New Church — and in the third volume, 
the Apocalypse Revealed, from the 1st to the 6th chapter. But 
now I was compelled to look about for my own subsistence, and 
applied for the office of Librarian of the University, which had 
at that very time become vacant. I was actually entrusted with 
it provisionally, that is to say, revocable after the expiration of 
one year, notwithstanding there was a great many competitors, 
amongst them two respectable professors. I now published at a 
bookseller's of this place, a translation of Clowes' Catechism, and 
also caused to be printed in German, his work entitled, " A Few 
Plain Answers to the question, Why do you receive the testimo- 
ny of Swedenborg?" accompanied by an apologetical preface. 
Of the fourth volume seven sheets had already been printed, when 
I was unexpectedly interrupted. The academical senate, and 
the minister of the interior, had applied to the king for my definite 
commission : at first, however, the king would not commission me 
at all, but sent a rescript containing the query, how it had hap- 
pened that I was entrusted with such a respectable office, although 
I had, notwithstanding the admonition given to me, translated the 
fanatical writings of Swedenborg, and sought to propagate them 
amongst all classes of people ? I hereupon delivered immediate- 
ly to the king, a defence of our cause, adducing a great many 
facts from other countries. The office was then given to me pro- 
visionally, under the condition, that as long as I would hold a 
public appointment, I should not either mediately or immedi- 






188 LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. 

ately, publish Swedenborg's works or any similar writing;-. 
Although by laying down my appointment, I could have recov- 
ered each moment my liberty of action, yet I at first considered 
myself not at liberty to accept this condition ; but upon the dec- 
laration of our friend Hofaker, who had declared that in case of 
necessity he would continue the publication, and in consideration 
that after all I could not proceed in it without an office, and that 
perhaps the time for the undertaking had not yet arrived, I com- 
plied, declaring however to the royal commissioner, that I acceded 
to the condition merely for the present time, and was resolved to 
resign the office as soon as I could hereafter find means to defray 
the expenses, in case this condition would not then be remitted. 
Several attempts were now made to raise the expenses of annual 
subscriptions, but in vain. After having, to satisfy our own 
minds, tried every thing in our power, nothing else remained but 
to wait until the Lord himself would open a door. A prospect 
soon appeared, and we received the consolation that whenever 
the time would arrive, the work could be prosecuted. The liberal 
offer of the court apothecary, Mr. Franck, to advance the costs of 
the fourth volume, and to take an equivalent of the four volumes, 
with 25 per cent discount, in connexion with other extraordinary 
experience, determined me on the first of March of this year, to 
address myself immediately to the king, in order to tell him, that 
it was now a matter of conscience with me to continue my under- 
taking, and to intimate that I was forced to sacrifice my office, in 
case I should not be allowed to proceed. What I had told the 
king, I demonstrated with circumstantial documents in a letter to 
the secretary of state, and in another to the minister of the inte- 
rior, observing to them, that it was now exactly 300 years since 
the princes of Germany met at Speier, March 15, 1529, to protest 
against all human authority in matters of faith, and to claim for 
themselves and their subjects the privilege of free inquiry and 
full religious liberty. Hereupon I received a notification from 
the chancellor's office of the university, that by a resolution of 
the 25th of March of this year, his royal majesty had most gra- 
ciously released me from the condition laid upon me, by a royal 
ordinance of Sept. 24, 1825, according to which I had to abstain 
entirely from continuing the publication of the Theological Works 
of S wedenborg. By another royal edict of July 20th , of this year, 
I was quite unexpectedly, and in a definitive and irrevocable 
manner, invested with my office as librarian of the universitj 



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